Construction Of A Definition Of Character

 

Tenet #1.  God is the Sovereign Creator of all things  Gen. 1:1

 

Tenet #2.  Bible is the inerrant word of God, which contains absolute moral values  II Tim. 3:16-17

 

Tenet #3.  God gives us freedom to choose him and to belong to him   I Cor. 6:20

 

Definition – Character is the will to act from pure motives and do what is right, as defined by God regardless of personal cost.

 

Spiritual Intimacy---

 

Correlation between personal righteousness (Character) and our ability to know God intimately.

 

4 Vital Relationships in Life

Ps. 15

 

1.                  With God

2.                  With Self

3.                  With Others

4.                  With Community

 

Healthy Relationships Built On

 

1.                  Respect

2.                  Trust

3.                  Communication

 

Rules Without Relationship Yields Rebellion

 

God’s Assurance

 

God assumes total responsibility for a Life yielded to Him.

Character paves the way to intimacy with God.

 

Character Erosion

 

If you stop measuring your action by God’s absolute standard you surrender all landmarks.

 

Strongholds-Hard Hearts Blind Spots.

When your exposure to the truth greatly exceeds your response to it.

 

“Renewal”  Romans 12:1-2    Biblical Thinking

 

Biblical imperatives apart from biblical thinking results in short term obedience and long term frustration.

 

What we believe determines how we behave.  Prov 23:7;  Col 3:9-10

 

Uncovering Lies

 

1.                  I’ve always been that way.

2.                  Everybody is doing it.

3.                  I can handle it.

4.                  One time won’t hurt.

5.                  Nobody will know.

6.                  But I’m in love.

 

Two Step Renewal

 

1. Identify the lies and false assumptions that fuel attitudes and actions. “Take this off”.
2. Put on the new. “Truth”.

 

Renewing The Mind.

Prov. 11:3

 

1.                  Choose a goal Character trait.

2.                  Identify one obstacle.

3.                  Look for the lie behind the obstacle.

4.                  Excavate the truth.

5.                  Commit it to memory.

 

To Counter Lies And Put On The Truth.

 

1.                  Speak the truth out loud.  Ps. 59: 16-17

2.                  Personalize the truth.  II Cor. 10:4-5

3.                  Pray the truth.  Jo. 8:31-32

 

                        Immerse self in God’s Word

                        + Discover the truth

                        Be made free

 

4.                  Meditate on the truth.  Ps. 1:1-2

 

Power Of Friendships.

Jo. 15:12; Prov.13:20

 

Can be positive or negative

 

Genuine acceptance + love – always has your best in mind.  A powerful character builder.

 

Character Building And Unfinished Business

Luke 19:8; Matt. 5:23-24

[No Skeletons In The Closet]

 

1.                  Reconciliation and restitution

2.                  Forgiveness  Ehp. 4:31-32

 

                               “Grace”

a.                   Charging the defendant.

b.                  Dropping the charges.

c.                   Dismissing the case.

 

Paves the way for the ultimate expression of Character – to love your enemies.

 

Learning To Walk In The Spirit

II Cor. 12:10

Only Way To Character Growth.

 

Christianity is relational not religious.

Walk in the Spirit – moment by moment

Dependence upon the Holy Spirit to prompt you to do what He wants you to do and to empower you to do what you cannot do.