The Content of our Character

The Content of Our Character: How would you describe yours?

What matters most to you about people? Is it their portfolio or material wealth? Or, is it their notoriety and the people around them? Or, most importantly, is it the content of their character?

Character: What does it mean?

A.W. Tozer described character as “the excellence of moral beings.” As “the excellence of gold is its purity” and “the excellence of art is its beauty,” so the excellence of man is his character. https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-character.html

Character is influenced and developed by our choices.

I also learned that the condition of our hearts is essential to our character so when we talk about the content of character, we are talking about the content of the heart. Content can be anger, resentment, unforgiveness, guilt, bitterness, pride, lust … and the “beat” (excuse the pun) goes on and on!

As a Christian, I take the condition of my heart seriously because I lived with an unforgiving spirit for way too long. And living like that can make for a miserable life.

Character is what God speaks about in His Word and what should matter to us most.

Content: What does it mean?

It means our core ethical values of honesty and integrity, respecting others, taking responsibility for one’s actions, being fair and just, and being someone who promotes love and compassion for others.

We can also think about the content of character in terms of core virtues and the extent to which one embodies wisdom, humility, courage, justice, temperance, and the value of human dignity.

What is God’s purpose for developing our Character?

His purpose for developing character is ultimately to make a man like His son, Jesus Christ.

God provided us with ordinary people as examples for us to follow:

Ruth (Ruth 3:11), So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all [a]my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 

Hanani (Nehemiah 7:2), then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the citadel, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.

David (Psalm 78:72), So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands. 

Job (Job 2:3). The Lord said to Satan, “Have you [a]considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man [b]fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds firm to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to [c]ruin him without cause.” 

These individuals’ lives were distinguished by persistent moral virtue. Moral virtues consist of forgiveness and mercy, prudence, courage, wisdom, justice, honesty, and compassion.

You may find additional virtues to add to this list; however, I believe this list to be a good start toward becoming how God wants to see us.

The Least Chosen Path:

You and I, many times, will think about the character of others before we consider our own character. Pointing the finger is easier than a more straightforward approach than looking in the mirror at ourselves. Which do you think is the more responsible way? Proverbs 27:19 (NASB) – As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. Yes! Your conduct should consistently reflect your inner character.

If we don’t put ourselves to the test, how will we live in peace, hope, and love?

What is stored in the heart is where the essence of who we are lives, grows, and changes. So, I leave you with this question: What fills your heart and your soul? What is the Content of Your Character?

Source

https://biblia.com/bible/esv

Edited by Rugina Moore Henry