The Lord has been talking to me about the strength of my character recently. I must admit I really haven’t ever heard a sermon specifically about “my character”. Of course basically all the sermons we hear are addressing our character, but I haven’t heard any specifically saying that in so many words.
Today, I want to look at a few nuggets of wisdom that I have received from God so far. These are just things that did me good and that I hope will do you good too!
Some of these things will step on your toes and that’s the goal. I really had to adjust my own self after gaining this revelation.
A Spirit of Compromise (the opposite of the word “character”)
When we talk about character development, it might be easier to first look at what the opposite of good character is. And sadly this is what I had…
A spirit of compromise is really a spirit of weakness. It says the following…
- I will put how I feel above what is right.
- I allow others to dictate thoughts and actions in my life.
- My word is not my bond.
Let’s look at these three things in more detail to really understand the problem with not having good character.
#1 I will put how I feel above what is right.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13:14 KJV
The flesh – our feelings – will always try to dominate our lives. It’s a voice that we won’t get rid of until our bodies are glorified at the second coming of Christ.
That means each and every person that is alive today has to deal with this problem.
Our flesh doesn’t want to do what is right. It doesn’t want to behave.
We have to make it behave. That means, “carrying your cross daily.”
Your “cross” is where God’s will and your feelings (your will) cross.
#2 I allow others to dictate thoughts and actions in my life.
People pleasing is a real problem!
I must admit the word “no” was hard to come by when it comes to others. I naturally want to help and assist others – that’s a good thing.
I’m not saying become a jerk and quit helping others, but I am saying to know your limits and stick to them.
This kind of people pleasing behavior really isn’t helping anyone, it’s only hurting you.
Sure the task someone needed to do got done, but at what cost?
How many things did you not do for God because someone else asked you for help?
Stay committed to the vision God gives YOU and don’t drift into the same spirit of compromise that Martha had a problem with.
Martha’s Spirit of Compromise
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word.
40 But Martha was encumbered with much serving, and came to Him and said, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 KJV
Martha was so consumed by helping others and serving that she totally missed the whole point of why Jesus was there!
How many times have we done the same thing? Maybe at church, encompassed about with “much serving”, we end up compromising why we are even there!
This spirit of compromise will steal all of the character right out of your life before you even get started!
#3 My Word is not my Bond
This is a really big deal. This isn’t the way that Jesus operated. If Jesus said he would do something he did it!
Remember when the man asked for Jesus to come heal his child?
22 And behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet
23 and besought Him greatly, saying, “My little daughter lieth at the point of death. I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live.”
Mark 5:22-23 KJ21
Jesus went with the man.
As Jesus went, the woman with the issue of blood in verses 27-34 stopped Jesus. And we see in verse 35 a potential problem.
35 While He yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain ones who said, “Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the master any further?”
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that had been spoken, He said unto the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid; only believe.”
Mark 5:35-36 KJ21
But Jesus gave His word that He would heal her. So Jesus told the man not to be afraid and only to believe (v36).
That’s a huge order!
And we know the story, in the next verses the man’s child is healed because Jesus said it – he did it!
That’s the whole point of character. It’s the conviction of who you are no matter what comes your way.
Your character will limit or accelerate your growth.
In the blog today, we talked a lot about all the negatives of having bad character. It’s really important to be able to recognize what BAD character looks like so that you can change it in the future.
I know that this study on character development will change your life as it is mine. Continue to follow along as we dive deeper into all the things that we can do to develop our character on a practical level.
Daniel is an excellent example as he had an excellent spirit about him (and became ruler over Babylon because of it!).
If you enjoyed this post, check out some of our other posts Daily Devotionals and Resources.
0 Comments