Character
Character
Character is developed, as we are not born with it. There are probably a hundred or more different character qualities. There are positive and negative qualities, all of which come with our freedom to choose. All require intentional decisions to pursue them. Whether we like it or not these come with a price, consequences, and outcomes.
The definition of character is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
Here are some examples of each:
Positive character qualities could include brave, compassionate, considerate, courageous, faithful, giving, humble, loving, loyal, thoughtful, trustworthy, and valiant.
Negative: Stubborn, selfish, lazy, demanding, arrogant, mean-spirited, cowardly, critical, dishonest, disrespectful, impulsive, greedy, careless, evil, selfish, and, jealous.
Each is rooted in one of two places; God or Satan; Good or Evil. When we consider the entire consul of God, the entire 66 books of the Bible, we find the consistent character of God. From creation with truth and love to the end of times in Revelation with truth, grace, and justice, God’s unassailable love for mankind.
Let’s look at the foundation of God’s character, love.
I Corinthians 13 says:
Love is…
• patient
• kind
• rejoices with the truth
• always protects
• always trusts
• always hopes
• always perseveres
• doesn’t envy
• doesn’t boast
• it is not proud
• doesn’t dishonor others
• isn’t self-seeking
• isn’t easily angered
• doesn’t keep a record of wrongs
• doesn’t delight in evil
God’s Love never fails, it is who He is; it is His immutable character. We see this aspect of God’s character demonstrated by the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
Satan’s character is steeped in pride, envy, boasting, dishonoring others; his focus is on stealing, killing, and destroying as many as possible.
One set of character traits builds, strengthens, and empowers; the other destroys.
We have the freedom to choose. Having a character that is prideful, self-seeking, while developing the “it’s all about me” syndrome takes little to no effort which brings pain and ruin everywhere it goes. BUT, having the character that can stand the storms of this world, that can be an inspiration to others, the character that brings hope, strength, and freedom, that requires intentional and dogged determination.
We have hope! We have an example. We have an advocate. We have a helper; the Holy Spirit. But we have the responsibility and obligation to make the choices that build character. Building principle upon principle; precept upon precept; so when the storms come, when the temptation is here, when we are tested we can stand. We can make a difference in our lives and those around us.
There is no temptation known to man that Jesus did not encounter and with the Holy Spirit overcome. He chose to give the greatest sacrifice so that we can overcome as well. He went to be with the Father and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to us that we too could overcome all of the temptations we would face.
Just as Jesus had an adversary determined to destroy him, we too have the same enemy. He constantly looks for the ways to destroy us, derail us. So what is the sin in our lives that so easily besets us? Where do we need to strengthen our character or resolve?
God has the answer for us in Hebrews:
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.”
Hebrews 12: 2-11 MSG
When we have a mature relationship with God we can then be a reflection of God to those around us. We can exhibit the character of God in all that we do. We need to lean into God’s love and correction in our lives as it builds the character that brings hope not despair in this world in which we live. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to abide deep in our hearts that we may gain the character that can transform people’s lives. We need to be grateful for a Father who teaches us how to love.
Will you choose to consider taking time to review the lessons in your life and consider the character qualities God wanted you to develop? Will you consider asking the Holy Spirit to dwell deep in your heart to help you overcome the temptations you face, just as Jesus did?
