Image is important, right? So much time is spent trying to cast that perfect image to get more likes, followers, and friends. Photos are edited, scenes are staged, and stories are embellished all in the name of image. Image may be important to people, but image isn’t important to God.

God doesn’t look at the things people look at. “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”( 1^st Samuel 16:7 ). The Pharisees, a religious sect of Jews prominent during Jesus’s time were notorious for trying to create the perfect image so that others would believe they were the “real deal.” Jesus called them whitewashed tombs because, like tombs, they looked good on the outside, but on the inside, they were full of rot (Matt 23:27).

Sometimes we focus so much on the outside; we forget about what really matters, the inside. We whitewash our lives, all the while not realizing that we can’t hide what is rotting on the inside from God. He is not concerned with image; He is concerned with the real us; our character.

Sometimes we focus so much on the outside, we forget about what really matters, the inside. We whitewash our lives, all the while not realizing that we can’t hide what is rotting on the inside from God. He is not concerned with image; He is concerned with the real us; our character.

WHAT IS CHARACTER? 

Character is the way we think, feel, and behave. A person with good character is often described as honest, honorable, and compassionate while a person with bad character is often described as dishonest, selfish, and uncaring.

OUR CHOICES DETERMINE OUR CHARACTER

Our character is determined by our choices, whether good choices or bad. No matter how important the choice we make seems, that choice affects our next choice.  If we make good choices, then making a good choice the next time, and then the next becomes easier for us. But if we compromise and make a bad choice, then we are more likely to make bad choices down the road.  Our choices determine our character.

Daniel, an Israelite living as a captive in Babylon, was offered the finest of foods from the king’s court.  Daniel, however, refused to eat this food because it had been ritually sacrificed to false gods. Daniel 1:8  He knew that by eating it, he would dishonor God and violate the Jewish law on unclean food. Although it would have been easy for Daniel to give in and enjoy this excellent food, he declined to compromise his beliefs for a fleeting pleasure.  Daniel’s choice not to eat the king’s food was one step of many towards building his character, which would eventually lead the King of Babylon to fear and revere God (Daniel 6:26-27).

OUR CHARACTER DETERMINES OUR CHOICES

Good character guides us into good choices while bad character guides us into disasters. This truth is clearly illustrated in the lives of Joseph and Lot.

Joseph, son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his brothers and bought by Potiphar, one of the Egyptian Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph found favor in Potiphar’s house and was put in charge of Potiphar’s entire household. Joseph’s good character guided him to refuse to succumb to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife ( Genesis 39:6-12). Although the immediate result of Joseph’s choice landed him in hot water, God recognized Joseph’s good character and eventually positioned him as second in charge of Egypt (Genesis 39:13-23 and 41: 39-40). His position enabled him to save many lives, including his brothers.

Good character guides us into good choices while bad character guides us into disasters.

Lot, the nephew of Abraham, embarked on a journey with his uncle to the good land God had promised Abraham. On the way, Lot and Abraham’s men began quarreling over land for their animals. Abraham and Lot decided to part company, and Abraham let Lot choose which land he and his men would inhabit. Lot’s selfishness guided him to choose the lush land, and he eventually settled his family near the sinful city of Sodom (Genesis 13).

Lot’s choice set Lot up for all kinds of disaster. First, he was attacked by neighboring kings and taken captive (Genesis 14:1-16). Then after Abraham rescued Lot from captivity, Lot and his family had no choice but to flee their home when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the inhabitants’ sinfulness. Lot’s wife did not want to leave, and because of this, she died. As a result of Lot’s selfish character, Lot and his daughters ended up living in a cave in the mountains with nothing (Genesis 19).

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

Christians and non-Christians alike strive for good character. However, there are differences between Christian character and worldly character.

Jesus is the foundation of Christian character

Christian character defines itself based on the teachings of Jesus, which never change. Worldly character defines itself based on morals which change depending on what society accepts at any given point in time.

Jesus tells us that if we apply his teachings to our lives, we will be able to stand firm no matter what challenges we face because we have chosen to build our lives on a firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-25 TPT). However, we will be unable to stand firm when challenges arise if we have built our lives on a foundation that is continually changing.

Motives, not just actions matter

Christian character focuses not only on what we do but the reason we do what we do. Worldly character focuses on what we do but not necessarily the motive behind our actions.

Did we do what we did out of love for God, or did we expect something in return?  We should examine our motives behind our actions because God does (Proverbs 16:2).

God Pleaser or People Pleaser?

Christian character desires to please God above all else. Worldly character focuses on pleasing self or pleasing others.

Do you pray in public or drop money in the offering bucket because you want to please God or because you want to please people (Galatians 1:10 NIV )?

Power to Change Character of People 

Christian character depends on the Holy Spirit to change hearts (Romans 5:5), develop godly characteristics in people, and help people say no to the wrong things (Titus 2:11-12).

The world depends on self to do these things. When we rely on ourselves, we fail time and time again until eventually quitting seems like the only option.  But when we depend on the Spirit, we know that we have the Creator of the universe on our side and quitting is not even a consideration because we KNOW can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

Character is a choice. We can choose to allow the Spirit to conform us into the image of Christ, or we can choose to resist the Spirit’s refining, testing, and trials. Through His power, God has given us everything we need to live a life of good character.  The more we know Him, and make Him known, the more we can display HIS CHARACTER!

Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.  H. Jackson Brown

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. – John Wooten