How important are values?

What core values are:
An enduring belief, an [often] unwritten assumption and a preferred choice
“a set of general guiding principles; not to be confused with specific cultural or operational practices; [and] not to be compromised for financial gain or short-term expediency.”
They are non-negotiable, the essence of a person’s identity reflecting the lifestyle of Christ.
Do we have values God may need to reform?
As we grow in our love for God and for His Word, we are challenged to recognize and let God heal our corrupt or unhealthy values. Just by living in the world we pick up worldly values.

What are some of my “dark-side orientations” that compel me to wrongly value or over-value certain things?(e.g. of corrupt values: I value keeping up appearances; I value being right; I value always winning; I value over-indulging myself through eating, TV, alcohol…)
Disarming our corrupt values…

Choose to ask for and seriously consider feedback from others who know us or who have observed us over time;

Choose to appropriately self-disclose our issues within proper safe relationships (and get prayer);

Choose to trust GOD for help!!!
If I have core values…how do I discover them?
Clarifying Your Core Values
Answering the following questions will help to identify implicit values and move you towards formulating an explicit values statement…

1. What activities do you consider of greatest worth?
2. When your mind is in neutral, what do you usually think about?
3. When you lead, what needs to take place for you to be satisfied?
4. The qualities of character you most admire and desire for God to shape into your life are...
5. The actions or qualities in others that really frustrate or annoy you – even if you don’t know why.

EX. Adam's Values:

1) My relationship with God- This has to stay as a priority for me
over my work, my wife and everything else. It effects every
relationship I have and the purpose behind every day.
2) My role as a husband- I feel that this is second only to God.
Tasha is the only other person that I have made a life long vow to. I
never made a vow to my job or any other person..
3) Lasting growth and transformation- I have a need to be constantly
learning new things and asking questions in order to learn to live
better. The questions that I at one time tried to suppress are now
the catalyst for new growth and knowledge.
4) Love- I value love above all other things. This takes on so many
forms and looks different from and to anyone but it is what gives
value to life. I feel like if I were able to receive God's love, love
him back and love others that I would lead a good life.
5) Abiding in Christ- I have come to realize the unmatched importance
of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. The attachment to Christ
in me and me in Him is the only thing that will produce the fruit of
change and love and closeness to God. Eternal life is to know God.
6) Grace- I know that the only way that I can stay in relationship
with God is through grace. I need it every day and I thank God for it.
7) Theology- It is difficult for me to stay interested in things that
are only theoretical but I see theology as something that is a
foundation for the way we live our lives. Good theology leads to good
changes and bad theology leads to bad change. It is also a way that
we get to know God and his ways better.
8) Authenticity- If something is not real it doesn't last. I hate
shame, pride, and fear based motivations because their roots are false
they don't produce any fruit.
9) Unity- I have a difficult time seeing people left behind, not
included, or not given the opportunities other people are. I love the
shared Spirit of Christ that bonds us all. I think that unity is
something that is worth fighting for.
10) Enjoying Life- I feel like God has given us life and life to the
full and wants us to enjoy our work, our food, and the wonderful
people and things that he created for us to love.