Character is Important
Character is defined as the sum of one’s mental and moral qualities. It’s developed through our beliefs and life experiences, and reflects our inner life, influenced by either the world or God’s divine nature and discipline. Our character is always on display because it represents who we are and is demonstrated through our words and actions in every context of our nature, especially when under pressure. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV).
There is no procrastination when it comes to character development; we can’t put it off by saying, ‘I will do it tomorrow.’ As quoted by Andre Maurois: “If you create an act, you create a habit; if you create a habit, you create character; if you create a character, you create a destiny.”
There is a distinct balance between GIFTS and CHARACTER. Gifts are downloaded into our spirit at our spiritual birth. Character is developed as we surrender to the Holy Spirit. There must be a surrender to God’s will and each Christian is a responsible partner in this life-long process. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).
God continues shaping us so that we become like our Father in Heaven. The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives provides learning experiences whereby we have the tools not only for our personal growth, but also so we can pass that knowledge onto others. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV).
There is no procrastination when it comes to character development; we can’t put it off by saying, ‘I will do it tomorrow.’ As quoted by Andre Maurois: “If you create an act, you create a habit; if you create a habit, you create character; if you create a character, you create a destiny.”
There is a distinct balance between GIFTS and CHARACTER. Gifts are downloaded into our spirit at our spiritual birth. Character is developed as we surrender to the Holy Spirit. There must be a surrender to God’s will and each Christian is a responsible partner in this life-long process. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).
God continues shaping us so that we become like our Father in Heaven. The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives provides learning experiences whereby we have the tools not only for our personal growth, but also so we can pass that knowledge onto others. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV).