Christian Character

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

Our Christian character is an important aspect of who we are in Christ. In a Yale lecture, Phillips Brooks said that "the great purpose of life" is "the shaping of character by truth." Someone once said, "Reputation is what people think we are; character is what God and the angels know we are." Warren Wiersbe explains, "People with character have integrity; what they say and do comes from a heart fully dedicated to God. Integrity means inner wholeness; we're not trying to fool others (hypocrisy) or fool ourselves (duplicity)."

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live (Proverbs 4:4).

In the Bible, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Mary, Jeremiah, and Paul, among others, had character. Character means making God your top priority and seeking to please Him above all else. For a Christian, Scripture and prayer play an integral part in this. Attending a Bible-believing church and having fellowship with other Christians also helps. The foundation of a godly life is character, and it's anchored by the daily decisions we make.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Wiersbe tells us that "the deterioration of character is an 'inside job.' We drift from God and fall into sin, and then we try to avoid responsibility by blaming others or pleading extenuating circumstances; . . . The erosion of character usually begins with neglect: we stop reading the Word, or worshiping with God's people, or taking time to meditate and pray. . . . The process is deadly: first the drifting, then the secret sinning, then the hidden eroding of character . . . ."

Let's make sure we build our Christian character and never fall into intentional sin.

*Parts taken from 10 Power Principles for Christian Service, Warren Wiersbe.

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