Life is about building character—young and old alike! In fact, we are told that even a child is known by his deeds, by whether what he does is pure and right (Prov. 20:11). What is character? It is defined by how we develop it.
1—Character development comes through knowledge as stated in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” So, true knowledge, which derives from proper respect and reverence toward God is the starting point of good character. We are here preparing for our incredible human potential. To prepare us—God reveals in scripture the laws and principles that distinguish good from evil. Today right and wrong are replaced with platitudes of “accept yourself” and “feel good” and “judge not.” Too many leaders compromise because they know character cannot exist in a moral vacuum—the foundation of character must be a clear sense of right from wrong (John 17:17). Right character is more than knowing the truth, knowing right from wrong—it means doing what is right.
2—Character development comes from the habit of practicing what is right—that which becomes habit becomes a nature within itself (Notice Deut. 30:15-20). In every way possible, God wants what is best for us, but in the end, we must choose. Character means self-direction, with God’s guidance. A new and different way of life from the world we live in—“swimming upstream.” Mr. Armstrong taught us—character is the attainment of the ability, in a separate independent entity of free moral agency, to be able to discern (determine) right from wrong, true from false, and truth from error—and choose the right way, every single time. It means doing what’s right and resisting the wrong—even against self-desire, impulse, and temptation of which there are many. Character means self-discipline. It means resisting the enticement in you that wants to rebel. It means breaking away from wrong habits—rooting them out of our lives—and instilling within us new habits—and setting these newer right ways fixed. This is not easy. It takes willpower—it requires determination! But always know that God will help you!
3—Character development comes from insistence on doing the right thing. Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Character involves what you do when people are watching and what you do when nobody else is looking. When kids leave church summer camps, how do they act the rest of the year? When families leave weekly Sabbath services, how do we act the rest of the week? Insistence means developing maturity and having tried integrity.
When we demonstrate our willingness to go against the flow for righteousness’ sake like Christ, God sees that we value what He has to offer more than anything else that this present evil world has to propose. Make no mistake, others may not be watching, but God is always watching! It is our struggle against adversity, against peer pressure (even among brethren), and against the self that deepens and solidifies our character. And ultimately, we are all here to build character.
To learn more of God’s truths, as taught by His true apostle, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, please visit:
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