Question 1

Why does character matter? Life is short, and it’s more important to enjoy it while I can.

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:8“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”Some believe that temporary thrills and pleasures that cater to the flesh will make them happy. They think that their lives are meant for them and their enjoyment. God’s Word shows another way and clues us in on the source of true, lasting happiness.1 Corinthians 4:5So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.Sometimes you will be tempted to believe that you are exempt from the standards to which all others are subjected. Leaders who feel this way often abuse their position and authority. But you must remember that whatever is hidden will one day be revealed. Live your life and build your character to honor God and he will honor you.Ezekiel 18:5-9“Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them. He does not commit adultery . . . He is a merciful creditor, . . . He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign Lord.”People often argue that one’s personal life does not really matter so long as they perform in their public work. God, however, does not make a distinction between your public and private life. Justice, righteousness, integrity, mercy, honesty, fairness, and faithfulness are essential traits of a godly person’s character because they reflect who a person really is. Such traits also demonstrate one understands what is truly important in life—loving, honoring, and respecting God and others.1 Thessalonians 2:6-12As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.Character gives credibility. Your personal character will either verify or nullify your life’s work. Paul models how a life lived to please God honors others, too.

Question 2

What qualities of character does God want to cultivate in my life?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 7:6“You are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.”Whether ancient Israelites or a modern-day Christians, those who are called God’s people are special—holy, dedicated to the Lord, and chosen to be his own. This is a special privilege, but also a special responsibility because it requires you to try to model the very character of God.1 Samuel 15:22“Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”A sacrifice is offering God a gift; obedience is offering God yourself. This is one of the clearest indications that you are committed to godly character.Ezekiel 18:5-9“Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them. He does not commit adultery . . . He is a merciful creditor, . . . He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign Lord.”Justice, righteousness, mercy, honesty, and fairness are essential traits of godly character.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.This list shows the qualities of character God wants in his people, and he gives his Holy Spirit to help grow this “fruit.” Clearly, it matters to God who you are and not just what you do. The way you do whatever you do matters a great deal.

Question 3

What does God promise as I mature in godly character?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:8“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”You will experience an increasing sense of God’s presence and blessing, and you will have the greater ability to see the work of God around you.Romans 5:4Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.2 Peter 1:8The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.As you mature in your faith, you will become stronger and stronger, and this inner strength will give you wisdom beyond your years and a spiritual power that can help you accomplish more than you ever thought possible. As your character develops, your confidence in your salvation increases, and the assurance of God’s love fills your soul.

Question 4

How can I develop greater character?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 8:2“Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.”James 1:2-4When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.You are not born with godly character; it is developed through experience—by facing daily challenges and choosing wisely, by overcoming tests of adversity, by resisting temptation, and by your daily commitment to know God better through prayer, Bible reading, and good teaching.Luke 11:9“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”2 Corinthians 4:8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.Philippians 1:9I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.1 Peter 4:19So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.Developing character is like developing any other skill. You must practice. Keep on doing what is good and right, and constantly practice character traits like kindness, generosity, compassion, and honesty. What you value most is usually what you will work hardest to attain.

Question 5

Does God work to change my character, or is it all up to me?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.When you invite God into your life, you are also giving him permission to use his power to change you. He won’t force change on you, but if you ask, you have the very power of God himself to begin a work of transformation in you that lasts a lifetime. When you try to change on your own, the results will be poor and you will become discouraged. With the powerful help of the Holy Spirit, however, you will begin to see change and growth toward maturity in your character and choices.

Question 6

How do I recognize good from bad character?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 20:11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.Those who truly want to love, obey, and serve God will make their desire evident through their words and behavior. If you have those same motives, you will easily recognize good and bad character in others.

Question 7

Why does building character have to be so hard?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 105:19Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.Romans 5:3-4We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character.James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.One of the basic principles of life is that adversity produces strength. Your muscles grow only when stretched to their limit. Your character grows only when pressure pushes against it and tests its strength. Developing strong character, therefore, is a process that takes time and constant attention. Your muscles will get flabby if you stop exercising. Likewise, your character will get soft if you stop working at it. This is hard, but it is through hard work that you will achieve great accomplishment and the sense of satisfaction that goes along with it. The pressure of pain, trials, and temptation refine us so that over time we will be better equipped and more experienced to deal with them. Building your character is hard work that always pays off, both now and for eternity.

Question 8

Can’t I work on my character when I get older? I’m only young once and other kids don’t seem to be worried about it.

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 12:1Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.No one knows how long they will live. But more importantly, godly character is simply a reflection of who we are. If you aren’t interested in developing godly character now, you won’t be interested in it later. In fact, developing godly character while you are young will help keep you from making some life-altering mistakes. Be an example to others of the value of living for God and not for oneself.

Question 9

How do I stand up for what I believe when some of my friends laugh at me for my “clean living”?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 15:32-34“Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning.If your friends’ influence keeps you from having good character, the best choice is to get different friends who share your godly values. Peer pressure is one way that you are tested. God promises that you will not be tested beyond what you can handle with his help.