Character: Who/What do You represent?

Character

The moral and mental features that define a person, whether good or evil. The term also means moral strength, which Scripture regards as something to be highly valued.

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

Jack Hayford

The thing that makes the difference in Christian character is that we are answering to God foremost

Christian character is lived out in reverence for and respect for God

The Fear of God is the starting place : Deut.6:24

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

The LORD commanded us to follow all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God for our prosperity always and for our preservation, as it is today

To fear is to revere; honor; respect;

Christian character boils down to being willing to die to our own agendas and our own conveniences

How do we Build Christian Character

Suffering and challenges are the needed tensions to build and strengthen the muscle we know as faith

Ro.5:3-5 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ro 5:3–5.

We should live each day in an effort to display the fruits of the spirit as there is no fault found in displaying these fruits: Gal. 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ga 5:22–23.

Finally, true Christian Character is shown in how we react to different situations

actions speak louder than words

This is where we have to guard against the devil

How can we shine for Jesus when we are showing the word darkness through our actions

Col. 3:12-15 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Col 3:12–15.