Stephen R. Covey provides significant insights into human life, which is governed by various principles. He argues that a principle-centered process helps achieve both interpersonal and personal effectiveness (Covey, 2016). This way, Covey’s approach to organizing a person’s life aligns with the Christian worldview in various ways. For example, despite the changes in people’s lifestyles and the advancement of technology, character ethics act as fundamental and unchanging natural laws that define physical and emotional dimensions. These philosophies have permanent value and offer proven guidelines for human behaviors, irrespective of existing transformations. From the perspective of Christianity, the Ten Commandments are vital doctrines that lay the foundation of all guiding principles in Christians’ lives. Indeed, Jesus said that he did not come to obliterate the prophets or the laws but to accomplish them (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Matthew 5:17-22). Corresponding to Covey’s sentiments, the scriptures strengthen the principle-centered paradigm, distinguishing some values as natural and constant.
The objective reality is that natural laws, which govern every civilized society, have origins and history entrenched in social and family institutions. The degree of people’s recognition of such principles defines the stability, success, or destruction of their communities (Covey, 2016). For instance, the honesty and integrity values create a foundation of trust that promotes cooperation and interpersonal growth. Consequently, individuals should make rational decisions based on acceptable character ethics rather than personal beliefs. Similarly, St. Paul urges Christians to embrace God’s will through observing appropriate and respectable values instead of pursuing earthly desires (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Romans 12:2). In this scripture, St. Paul agrees with Covey that changes are inevitable but should be entrenched in society’s historical and social ideologies. It is impossible to have a new strategy for every circumstance, and thus, believers should understand that interpersonal relationships are complex. Therefore, the critical aspect of navigating towards social values is having guidelines, instead of rules, because they help individuals pursue success while respecting modernity and other people’s ways of life.
References
Covey, S. (2016). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Mango Media.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. Web.