Character

Character is your response for God's love to you, working in and through you!

Real, authentic Christian character is formed when you surrender to Christ and allow His piercing work to grow and enrich you, so that the Spirit flows.

Building and developing character is not something we just learn from a book or hear from a sermon. It does not come upon us in the night, or sneak up in the day. It does not come automatically, accentually, or suddenly. It is a process that comes from being parented in it. Then it rests in us and in our motives. It is a slow process. You may not realize you have it until others point it out in you. Character is not permanent once it is formed. It requires our continual hold and practice, in His Word, through our prayers and the practice of His Fruit in and through us.

Our spiritual discipline, motives, obedience, and persevering faith will be the keys! All it takes is to be in love with Christ. Seek His presence and be persistent in your prayers.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
What is Character?
 
This article also serves as the introduction to our Bible Study series on Character!

Character is the springboard from which all we do and say in life comes. Developing biblical character in the face of our daily lives and even in adversity is essential and the proof text that we have a growing relationship with Christ! Character is not just having integrity or honesty or doing the right thing; it is not one aspect or even a few. It is a living, growing relationship in Christ which produces a synergistic combination of the fruits of the Spirit.

What about Accountability?
 
 
Accountability is a check and balance system to protect us from harm from ourselves and others. We do this by being open to what we are thinking and doing so we can receive encouragement and reproof, when needed. Christian accountability is accounting for what we are up to. It is the realization that we are liable, responsible, and answerable for our actions in life to God, as well as to key Christians in our life. Thus, we need to hold to our beliefs and keep in line with what we believe so it does not distract us from God's path for us or discourage others from their path.
 

Here are some key Accountability questions you can ask yourself and/or have a mentor ask you.
 
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:15-16
 
Holding onto Character

Character comes from our response to faith by godly living, and exercising out our faith with trust and obedience, whatever we face! It is not looking at our situation; rather, it is looking to God. God desires and deserves our whole-hearted loyalty, allegiance, trust, obedience, and devotion; so, what is stopping you?

The Importance of Character

Character is fueled by the power of the Spirit empowering us so we can model the character of Christ. Real authentic character is being surrendered to Christ and allowing His work to grow and enrich us, so the Spirit flows. Character is God's love in and to and through us!

Our spiritual discipline, motives, obedience, and persevering faith will be the key! All it takes is to be in love with Christ. Seek His presence, and be persistent in your prayers.
 
Whatever happened to Virtue?
 
We as Christians have to ask ourselves, what is our main reason and purpose? Virtue is not the talk of the town these days; in fact, it is depicted in our culture as weak and useless. It is the butt of jokes. It is forgotten as part of a perceived bygone era filled with contempt and arrogance. To be a person of character is to be alone and endure criticism by the world and even by some so-called Christians. Virtue calls us to a higher level where few people desire to go, because it is an assault against the self-will. It flies in the face of what we expect and desire to do and to be. People today do not see the relativism or purpose of virtue.
 
Biblical curriculums to help us in knowing and applying the Fruit of the Spirit  

The Character of Love

Love desires to seek and apply what God has to say.

The Character of Joy

Joy will allow us to enjoy our relationship with Christ

The Fruit of the Spirit are codependent entities; neither one can stand or work by itself as they are designed to work all together synergistically to build us up for His service.

Allowing tranquility to be our tone and control our composure.

The Character of Patience

Patience is showing tolerance and fortitude                

 
The Fruit of the Spirit are not what we do when we have the time or feel like it; they are what we are to do--period!
 
 
Kindness is the medium through which Christ's love becomes tangible
The Character of Goodness

Goodness is the engagement of love!                          

 
In Christ, together we make the Fruit by taking His yoke so it will create the blossom, and when we keep His yoke (growth in our faith and practice of being a disciple) we will bear the Fruit. It is what we are to Christ-not so much what we do in His name.
 

Faithfulness is the gluing fruit that will preserve our faith                     

The Character of Gentleness

Gentleness is the character that will show calmness and the Love of Christ

 
Remember; the Fruits and Character cost dearly, they are not cheap by and from the One who bought them for us, for our betterment and for His glory. We must not take for granted what cost Him so much!
 

Self-Control is allowing God to be in control of your will and heart

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit! 
 
Biblical curriculums to help us in knowing and developing Character

These can be used as personal devotionals, small group studies, Bible studies, Christian education, or sermon helps. (These curriculums can even be used in public education; just omit the Scriptural references and make them available when students ask.)

Will produce honor, truth, and reliability.
The realization of how much we have been forgiven by Christ.
Minimizes arrogance and removes pride.
Sees a situation from the viewpoint of each person involved.
Realizes that God has given us the strength
Is the companionship and closeness we are to have with one another.
Means being straight and doing what is right.
Is being constantly reliable and trustworthy.
Is an aspect of worship, expressing to God.
Means to know and do what God expects.
Is the attitude of accepting whatever God provides.
Allows us to give to others because God has given abundantly to us.
Means being set apart for God's use.
Enables us to rely on the Lord for all things in our life.
Will lift, support, and help others through difficult circumstances.
Is being willing to adjust our own schedule and agenda.
Will recognize the value of other people.
Truly desires the knowledge of God's Word.
Will allow us to feel the pain and plight of others.
Will enable us to overcome disappointments.
Will help power us though set backs.
Allows us to operate with our best for His highest.
Considers others and gives attention.
Means being well organized and competent.
Keeps our minds and focus on sound judgment.
is a heartfelt confidence that everything will come out for the best.
Is submitting to what God requires of us.
Is the true response that leads to worship.
Means being polite and courteous.
Is the ability to make difficult decisions.
Is a willingness to share what God has given us.
Is developing allegiance and respect.
Is exercising real, godly leadership.
Is being discerning so we do not rush into things.
Is our willingness to venture out and do the right thing.
Is being open to the plans and ideas of others.
Respects the time of others.
Anger can be a solution or a real problem.
Is the application of being good.
Allows us to be corrected by God.
Advocates God's Word to others.
Is having admiration for others.
Means to pay attention and close our mouths.
Is the wonder and awe at what Christ did for us.
Means knowing who we are in Christ.
Being a learner and to pass it on.
Is being devoted to Christ.
The act of being pious and living a good.
To give wise judgment in decisions.
Is being willing to convey our honest thoughts.
Is the recognizing and respecting of others.
Is defined as conformity to God's Law.
Is defined as the loyalty and honor of one's nationality.
Is our social conscientiousness in action.
Exhibits an attitude to learn from ones setbacks.
The pursuit of the maximum utilization of our gifts, abilities, and talents.
 
Is having confidence in God so we trust Him in difficult situations and achieve...
 
 
More character studies are on there way!
 
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Expanded Fruit of the Spirit Bible Studies 
in Downloadable PDF Files
  
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
 
FruitoftheSpritlove.pdf
 
FruitofthespiritJoy.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritPeace.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritPatience.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritKindness.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritGoodness.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritFaithfulness.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritGentleness.pdf
 
FruitoftheSpiritSelf-Control.pdf
The willingness to model Christ's character is far more vital for us today than the willingness to just preach it. God want us to be authentic-not pretentious, because we are the Bible that non-Christians read (2 Cor. 8:9)!
 
As mature Christians, we must come to the point that we allow the search and conviction of the Holy Spirit upon our lives to the very core of our souls (2 Cor. 13:5)! Once this happens, the result will be more faith and more use to Christ. The result for your church will be more focus upon His precepts and increased prayer, which will bring an outpouring of the Spirit and renewal! This will impact your neighborhood and the world in which you live. It all starts with your determination to encompass the faith He has given you and obey! What is stopping you? (Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:1-10; Luke 24:26; John 15; 17:2; Phil. 3:10; 1 Thess. 4:3; Heb. 2:10)
 
Let us use our lives for His glory so we point people to Christ with passion, integrity, and consistency!
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