Godly Character: Beyond Behavior
From the White House to the farmhouse, much of our society is void of true men of true character, and I mean godly character. Proverbs 28:6 says this, "Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” There are a lot of people who are gaining means through crooked ways, but do not envy them, because ultimately their ways will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 tells us, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever makes his way crooked will be found out."
So what is character? Character is the mental or moral attributes that make up and distinguish an individual from another. Don’t confuse character with reputation. Reputation, simply put, is what people think of you. Our character is the essence of who we are, and our reputation is someone's judgment or opinion of that character.
One's character is developed over time. As men of God, it is a crucial role in distinguishing us as individuals and determining our eternal destiny. As Christians, we have been reborn in Christ, and the Spirit of God indwells us, and our character is forged through a process. Let's think about this process for a minute. We forge metal by heating it with fire, shaping it with a hammer, and then quenching it. Over time and through this process, the steel is shaped into a useful tool. Similar to steel, Christians must allow God to work the process of forging our lives.
God will provide the means, but we have to provide the work in this process. We don't have to respond to the forging process in a way that develops godly character. We can resist. There's a direct correlation between how we respond to testing and trials and the development of our character. His predetermined plan is that we would be conformed into the image of Christ. That's what this forging process is for. Don't despise the process. Embrace it. This process is called sanctification; the process of making or becoming holy or set apart.
God also provides a Helper to guide us in developing godly character. He has given us and imparted His Holy Spirit to live in us, to empower us, to lead us, and direct us so that we can accomplish these things. Through the power of God working in and through our lives, we provide the effort or the work. “We rejoice in suffering.” We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
It's not easy to follow Christ. We have to discipline ourselves. We have to be people who are in control of our minds and our bodies. We are men and women who are under the subjection of Christ, who is our head. We are following our King. It isn’t easy in this fallen, wicked world, especially battling our flesh. It's part of our maturing process. Scripture is telling us the things that we have to do. It's producing grit, and we need to be disciples with grit.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from The Gritty Men Podcast: Godly Integrity)
So what is character? Character is the mental or moral attributes that make up and distinguish an individual from another. Don’t confuse character with reputation. Reputation, simply put, is what people think of you. Our character is the essence of who we are, and our reputation is someone's judgment or opinion of that character.
One's character is developed over time. As men of God, it is a crucial role in distinguishing us as individuals and determining our eternal destiny. As Christians, we have been reborn in Christ, and the Spirit of God indwells us, and our character is forged through a process. Let's think about this process for a minute. We forge metal by heating it with fire, shaping it with a hammer, and then quenching it. Over time and through this process, the steel is shaped into a useful tool. Similar to steel, Christians must allow God to work the process of forging our lives.
God will provide the means, but we have to provide the work in this process. We don't have to respond to the forging process in a way that develops godly character. We can resist. There's a direct correlation between how we respond to testing and trials and the development of our character. His predetermined plan is that we would be conformed into the image of Christ. That's what this forging process is for. Don't despise the process. Embrace it. This process is called sanctification; the process of making or becoming holy or set apart.
God also provides a Helper to guide us in developing godly character. He has given us and imparted His Holy Spirit to live in us, to empower us, to lead us, and direct us so that we can accomplish these things. Through the power of God working in and through our lives, we provide the effort or the work. “We rejoice in suffering.” We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
It's not easy to follow Christ. We have to discipline ourselves. We have to be people who are in control of our minds and our bodies. We are men and women who are under the subjection of Christ, who is our head. We are following our King. It isn’t easy in this fallen, wicked world, especially battling our flesh. It's part of our maturing process. Scripture is telling us the things that we have to do. It's producing grit, and we need to be disciples with grit.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from The Gritty Men Podcast: Godly Integrity)
Posted in Beyond Behavior
Posted in Character, Bible, Biblical, Behavior, Texoma Cowboy Church, Eternal, Reputation, Christ, God, Discipline
Posted in Character, Bible, Biblical, Behavior, Texoma Cowboy Church, Eternal, Reputation, Christ, God, Discipline