Part 7: Character
Sunday, February 15
Teaching Series: Making Wise Choices
We started 2009 by evaluating our life to make sure that it lines up with God’s Word. If our starting point in our life is not God’s Word, then we are basing our life on the wrong words. When you allow the wrong words into your heart then you will have wrong thinking, wrong emotions, wrong decisions, wrong actions, wrong habits and the wrong character, which will take you to the wrong destination in life.
God created you for a purpose, with a purpose. But it starts with God’s Word. If you want to live the life you were created to live, then you must …
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Importance of Character
Whoever you are in character is a result of your thinking, your emotions, your decisions, your actions and your habits, which are all a result of the words that you allow into your heart. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The abundant life starts with God’s thoughts, God’s Word.
Define Character
Character is doing what is right because it’s right and then doing it right.
Daniel’s Character
“Then [King Nebuchadnezzar] promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all the Babylonian wise men” (Daniel 2:48). What was Daniel like when he was being tested under the kings of Babylon? How did he respond then?
Character or Compromise
Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it. Adversity makes a person to choose between one of two paths. You will either choose character or compromise. Character is a choice. Godly character is a result of making wise choices according to God’s Word.
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Making Wise Choices series