It consists of practicing Christian virtues and avoiding attitudes and actions that the Bible condemns as sinful. Christian virtues that members of the College are expected to exhibit include humility, honesty, a forgiving spirit, faith, hope, and love. Attitudes that the Bible condemns as morally wrong include greed, jealousy, pride, lust, bitterness, uncontrolled anger, and prejudice based on race, sex, or socioeconomic status. While these attitudes are difficult to detect, they are as subject to the judgment of God as are outward forms of sin. The Bible also condemns such practices as drunkenness, stealing, profanity, unfair discrimination, dishonesty, occult practices, illegal activities, and sexual sins such as pre-marital sex, adultery, and homosexual behavior.
Responsible freedom implies stewardship of mind, body, time, abilities, and funds.
It also requires thoughtful Christian choices in matters of entertainment, associations, and the use of Sunday. In addition to the moral standards prescribed in the Bible, the College has chosen to adopt rules that foster the kind of campus atmosphere that Wheaton College desires. These rules embody such foundational Christian principles as self-control, avoidance of harmful practices, and sensitivity to the heritage and practices of other Christians. The College requires members of its community to abstain from gambling, the illegal use of drugs, most forms of social dancing, and the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages. Students are accountable for adhering to these rules while enrolled or participating in any College program on or off campus, and from the beginning to the end of each semester, and while residing in College housing.