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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
Self Examination: A
Biblical Mandate
The Bible encourages us to take inventory
regularly in order to evaluate who we are and what we do in light
of God’s standard.
Therefore, self-examination is a Biblical mandate because
it is a pathway to our growth.
For example:
Ø
Psalm
4:4: The
psalmist counsels us to look deeply within—to “search [our]
hearts.”
Ø
Proverbs 14:8: Solomon offers the
proverbial guidance - “the wisdom of the prudent is to give
careful thought to their
ways.”
Ø
1
Corinthians 11:28: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats
of the bread and dinks of the
cup.”
Ø
2
Corinthians 12:5:
“Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test
yourself.”
Ø
Galatians 6:4: “Each one should test his
own actions.”
What is
Character?
Ø
Character is a living, growing
relationship in
Christ.
Ø
Character is
aligning our lives so our behaviors are Christ-like. It is the
fruit that the vine of our abiding in Christ will produce.
A Test for Good Character
Ø
Here is how you can
find out. Look through each of the 20 characters listed below and
ask yourself:
- How can they be exhibited?
- How can they be
developed
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Character
Qualities
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Scripture
Reference |
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Courage |
2 Corinthians
5:1-10 |
|
Honesty |
Isaiah
33:14-16
Psalm 15:1-2
2 Corinthians
13:8 |
|
Reliability |
1 Chronicles
9:22
1 Corinthians
4:2-4 |
|
Discipline |
Galatians
5:16-26 |
|
Responsibility |
Proverbs
24:11-12
Matthew
25:14-30 |
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Tolerance |
Romans
14:1-10 |
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Vision |
Matthew
19:16-30 |
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Integrity |
Leviticus
19:35-36
Psalm 25:21
Proverbs 28:6
Zechariah
8:16-17 |
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Respect |
Proverbs
9:10
Ecclesiastes 5:7, 12:13
Romans
12:16-18
Ephesians
6:5-9 |
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Endurance |
Jeremiah
29:1-14 |
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Generosity |
Deuteronomy
15:7-11
Proverbs
21:13 |
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Perseverance |
Romans 2:7-8,
5:3-4 |
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Compassion |
Luke 10:25-37
2
Kings 13:23
Ephesians
4:32 |
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Commitment |
Matthew
13:18-23
Revelation
3:14-16 |
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Enthusiasm |
1 Chronicles
13:8
Ephesians
6:5-8 |
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Self-Sacrifice |
Mark
10:42-45 |
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Humility |
Psalm 37:11, 138:6,
149:4
Proverbs 29:23
Zepheniah 3:11-12
Mark
9:33-35 |
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Patience |
Psalm
37:7-9
Lamentations 3:26-27
Galatians 6:9
James
1:19
2 Timothy
2:24 |
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Loyalty |
Proverbs
17:17
Matthew 26:33-35, 26:69-75
Exodus 17:8-13
2
Chronicles
11:13-16 |
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Forgiving |
Matthew
18:21-22
Luke 17:3-4
Mark
11:25-26 |
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Passion |
1 Samuel
17:39-52
2 Samuel 21:15 -
22:4 |
Points of Fact
Ø
“Character is what you are
in the dark.” D.L.
Moody
Ø
Character
speaks for itself. We never owe people an explanation or excuse to
be the person that God called us to be.
Ø
It
is the moral, virtuous, spiritual foundation that holds the frame
of our actions and the siding of how we are to
others.
Ø
Character
is supported from truth that reinforces the life and actions we
are called to emulate.
Ø
Our
Lord was also fully human and lived a life of perfection;
therefore, this gives us hope and encouragement of what is
possible. “Be conformed to the image of God’s Son.” (Romans
8:29).
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