Proverbs of Character & the New Testament

Character Descriptions found in Proverbs

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:17)

Key Characters

The "characters" in Proverbs are types of people we can learn from: wise people, fools, simple folk, and the wicked. They are used in these short sayings to point out behavior we should avoid or imitate.

Some, but not limited to:

Wise & Foolish

Pleasing & Displeasing to Parents

Work Ethics

Frugal & Spending

Deceit and Honesty

Dependable vs not dependable

Temper & Temperments

Speech, Temper and Truth

New Testament Statements of Character

Understandings:

base character traits are of the Fallen Nature

base characteristics are viewed as “carnal” at best and sins in general

There is the Resource of the Holy Spirit

There is the expectations of godly conduct & character in the New Testament

A Base to Begin From:

Galatians 5.16-26 The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) Keep in Step with the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The Fruit of the Spirit is the Evidence of Keeping/Living with the Holy Spirit

The Fruit is the visual sign of the Invisible Connection

The Fruit is Standout Characteristic from Others of culture

The Fruit is our aid in awareness of our Maturity

The Character that God is desiring is that which is expressed in the

adverse,

public and

common areas of life.

The REAL QUESTION IS:

Get past the “what you want to be known as” to Who do you want to be known as…?

Do you want to be Known as Godly?