The pursuit of excellence, from a biblical perspective, involves doing the best we can with the gifts and abilities God grants us, giving our utmost for His glory. This pursuit is not about rivalry or seeking to outdo others for personal acclaim, but about emulating the glorious nature of God. His glory represents His excellencies, for which He is worthy of praise, and this should be the goal of our character development. We are called to put everything we have into supporting our faith with virtue, knowledge, and self-control, striving to reflect the praiseworthy qualities of God in all that we do.

It is essential for character growth to discipline our thoughts, setting them on admirable and commendable things, those excellent things of God that define a distinctive standard of character for living a praiseworthy life of moral excellence and obedience to Him. A common word used to describe moral excellence is virtue, defined as general moral goodness, right action, uprightness, and morality. God defines His saints as the excellent ones, in whom is all His delight. The Bible portrays virtue through various terms that indicate a gold standard of excellence, something all should aspire to and revere. These terms denote admirable or praiseworthy character traits, a mighty force or power, and the immeasurable capacity of God's grace, goodness, and might. Specific virtues listed in the Bible include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, righteousness, and godliness. Within these excellent character traits, we discover the virtuous mind and nature of our Creator, glorifying Him when we display these virtues. Discipline is a virtue God desires us to develop. We are encouraged to discipline our minds with virtuous thoughts, focusing on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. By concentrating on God's very nature through such noble thoughts, the good fruit of Christian virtue is produced, and He shall supply all needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It is not easy to establish or maintain excellent character in a hostile environment where the righteous often face ridicule and lose opportunities for advancement. Many sincere individuals feel tempted to abandon virtue for popularity, comfort, and power. However, associating with those who sneer at virtue ultimately leads to discomfort and pain for the virtuous, a consequence that should be anticipated in a world at odds with its Creator. The wise and virtuous anticipate reactions ranging from mild discomfort to bitter resentment and spiteful persecution from a world averse to virtue and incompatible with genuine excellence in character.