Concerned with Character

Photo by Fares Hamouche on Unsplash

A single act, whether moral or immoral, does not define a person, rather a person’s continuous conduct over time does. These patterns of behavior constitute a person’s character.

We live in a world where people are quick to pass the buck and point a finger of righteous or self-righteous indignation at someone else for something that is wrong.  We can’t change other people. We can influence them, or even persuade them, but we can’t change them. Instead of spending so much time focused on others’ attitudes or behaviors, we need to start with ourselves. 

One of my favorite scriptures says in Matthew 7:3-5 reads: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

This week, I have been in a place of self-examination. I am always thankful for this time. These periods are not always easy, but they are needed.  Some never practice it. Looking at ourselves from the outside in requires a depth of truth and transparency that many can not or will not face. It’s easy to harp on someone else’s shortcomings, but it’s much more difficult to acknowledge our areas of weakness. If we are going to change the world, then we need to know that change begins with us. All of us have character flaws that need to be burned and refined.

I read a social media post this week that said: Build your character and not your reputation, because reputation is who people think you are. Character is who you are. I pondered on this post.  We need to have both. Proverbs 22:1 states: “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” Have you ever met someone, who you “heard” a lot about?  Then when you meet him, he is nothing like what people have said?  Some people may have reputations of being righteous but lack human decency. Think about public figures who champion causes in the press, but then do the opposite behind closed doors. Some have the mindset, “If people think I’m this, then I’m this.” Friends – let us not be deceived. Character catches up with us.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Our characters speak to the mental and moral core of who we are as individuals. We should prioritize working on our character, before we worry about our reputation. Proverbs 11:5-6 states: “Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life. Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.” Let me clarify for some people: lust is not just sexual desire. It is coveting and pursuing something that may not be good for you. Ex. Someone can lust after fame, money, or status.

If our public personas and our private persons are lining up, then our character should produce a fruitful reputation. There is always somebody watching us.  We can choose to perform on the stage to garner applause or attention from people who will return to the dust just as we will. Or we can choose to live as though Our God, Our Father, Our Creator, Our All-in-All is watching us, because He is.
In Revelation 3:1-4, the Angel of the Church addresses the Church at Sardis: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Let us pray:
“Father help us all to see and acknowledge where we fall short of your glory.  Then, help us to humbly repent and turn from ways that do not edify or uplift You. Help us to not be entangled again in the bondage from which you have released us. You are the Potter, and we are the clay. Mold us in your image. Refine our characters and let our reputations be those worthy of King’s kids. Our desire is to live righteously before you. We love you. We thank you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen!”

Scriptures:

• In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8
• He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 1 Timothy 3:7

© 2018 by Antoinette V. Barber