--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we do not make formation in Christ the…" description: "\"If we do not make formation in Christ the priority, then we're just going to keep on producing Christians that are indistinguishable in their character..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fa/dallas-willard-819_character_if-we-do-not-make-formation-in-christ-th_2980681.png" --- # If we do not make formation in Christ the priority, then… ![“If we do not make formation in Christ the priority, then we're just going to keep on producing Christians that are indistinguishable in their character from many non-Christians.” quote by Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fa/dallas-willard-819_character_if-we-do-not-make-formation-in-christ-th_2980681.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fa/dallas-willard-819_character_if-we-do-not-make-formation-in-christ-th_2980681.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fa/dallas-willard-819_character_if-we-do-not-make-formation-in-christ-th_2980681.png) > “If we do not make formation in Christ the priority, then we're just going to keep on producing Christians that are indistinguishable in their character from many non-Christians.” [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing formation in Christ prevents producing indistinguishable Christians. **In simple terms:** Focus on spiritual formation. Key Takeaway Prioritize deep spiritual growth. Themes spirituality identity formation Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - church life - personal study - mentorship Key Concepts theology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can formation be inclusive? - What practices deepen spiritual identity? A Different Perspective Emphasis on formation may alienate non‑believers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Christians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christians/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [The real issue relating to exclusiveness is whether or not the Christian actually has a relationship with God, a presence of God, which non-Christians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/the-real-issue-relating-to-exclusiveness-is-whether-or-not-the/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The University of North Carolina-Greensboro has ordered a Christian club to allow non-Christians as leaders. 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The only question is whether it is a good one or a bad one.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/everyone-receives-spiritual-formation-just-as-everyone-gets-an/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“the focus of spiritual formation is the formation of our spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/the-focus-of-spiritual-formation-is-the-formation-of-our-spirit/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“spiritual formation is a matter of reworking all aspects of the self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spiritual-formation-is-a-matter-of-reworking-all-aspects-of-the-self/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“So my fifth point is this: spiritual formation is the process whereby the inmost being of the individual takes on the quality or character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/so-my-fifth-point-is-this-spiritual-formation-is-the-process-whereby/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Everyone gets a spiritual formation. It's like education. Everyone gets an education; it's just a matter of which one you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/everyone-gets-a-spiritual-formation-it-s-like-education-everyone-gets/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Spiritual formation is character formation. Everyone gets a spiritual formation. It's like education. Everyone gets an education; it's just a matter of which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spiritual-formation-is-character-formation-everyone-gets-a-spiritual/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Spiritual formation in Christ moves us toward a total interchange of our ideas and images for his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spiritual-formation-in-christ-moves-us-toward-a-total-interchange-of/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [In Spiritual formation we are aiming at a character and life that is so shaped that the deeds of Christ routinely and easily come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/in-spiritual-formation-we-are-aiming-at-a-character-and-life-that-is/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Spiritual formation in a Christian tradition answers a specific human question: 'What kind of person am I going to be?' It is the process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spiritual-formation-in-a-christian-tradition-answers-a-specific-human/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [What sometimes goes on in all sorts of Christian institutions is not formation of people in the character of Christ; it's teaching of outward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/what-sometimes-goes-on-in-all-sorts-of-christian-institutions-is-not/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spiritual-formation-for-the-christian-basically-refers-to-the-spirit/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) ## More by Dallas Willard > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > ["Spirituality" wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/spirituality-wrongly-understood-or-pursued-is-a-major-source-of-human/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“Sabbath is a way of life (Heb 4:3; 9-11). It is simply "casting all your anxiety on Him," to find that in actual fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/sabbath-is-a-way-of-life-heb-4-3-9-11-it-is-simply-casting-all-your/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [In many cases, our need to wonder about or be told what God wants in a certain situation is nothing short of a clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/in-many-cases-our-need-to-wonder-about-or-be-told-what-god-wants-in-a/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Discipline, strictly speaking, is activity carried on to prepare us indirectly for some activity other than itself. We do not practice the piano to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/discipline-strictly-speaking-is-activity-carried-on-to-prepare-us/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“The Spirit makes Christ present to us and draws us toward his likeness. It is as we thus behold the “glory of the Lord”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/the-spirit-makes-christ-present-to-us-and-draws-us-toward-his/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [We are unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's great universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-are-unceasing-spiritual-beings-with-an-eternal-destiny-in-god-s/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [We must understand that God does not "love" us without liking us - through gritted teeth - as "Christian" love is sometimes thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-must-understand-that-god-does-not-love-us-without-liking-us/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [We know we can't be spiritually transformed by just focusing on the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-know-we-can-t-be-spiritually-transformed-by-just-focusing-on-the/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [To allow lust (or strong desires) to govern our life is to exalt our will over God's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/to-allow-lust-or-strong-desires-to-govern-our-life-is-to-exalt-our/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [My central claim is that we become like Christ by doing one thing-by following Him in the overall style of life He chose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/my-central-claim-is-that-we-become-like-christ-by-doing-one-thing-by/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons, with Himself included in that community as its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/the-aim-of-god-in-history-is-the-creation-of-an-all-inclusive/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/the-greatest-issue-facing-the-world-today-with-all-its-heartbreaking/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [What we can do with these means (our own unassisted strength) is still very small compared to what we could do in acting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/what-we-can-do-with-these-means-our-own-unassisted-strength-is-still/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) [Explore all 357 Dallas Willard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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