Wordfortheweek Week 31 Character (part 1 of 2)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

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When people say someone is of good character, we know that person is a good person.

But what makes a good or bad character? Who defines what character is - the societal cultures and norms? 

 

The world debates what is "good" because it is subjective with many variables like culture, beliefs, laws, own sense of 'good'. That is why defining ‘good’ is difficult. What is good to one person might be bad to another. Good is linked with morals as well. One can debate what is moral and come to different conclusions.

 

As believers, what is good character? How is this reflected in what we do and who we are?

 

As a believer and follower of Yeshua Christ Jesus, the Holy Scripture is our life manual. It does not matter the debate, what matters is the word of Elohim God, and it is in His words that every debate is settled. The character that the Holy Spirit produces in our life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law or debate about these. They are the ingredients of a ‘good’, ‘moral’ character.

 

Character is defined in the Oxford dictionary as ‘the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual”. The qualities that make a person. Merriam Webster also defines it as the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves.

 

Character is seen from your behavior, whether this is your attitude to things, what and how you do things. What you think is usually reflected outwards in your attitude and actions.

 

The Holy Scriptures tell us about the fruit of the Spirit. In the most inspiring sermons ever, the sermon on the mount, Yeshua taught about the character with the analogy of the tree and its fruit. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions (Matthew 7: 16,20 NLT)).

 

Fruit is evidence of the type of tree it comes from. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is evidence of the in-ward work of Christ in us. When we are transformed by our faith in Yeshua and walking in faith, we start changing from the inward and reflect these changes through our character. The evidence of the Spirit of Jehovah in us is our character – the fruit of the Spirit. We need to emphasise that more if we are to make disciples of nations.

 

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is not developed by mere human abilities. That is why the world can never have an agreement on what is good morals. Because these are human perspectives. Elohim God’s perspective is the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Love is perfect love. It originates from the Father, as God is love. When you have Christ in you, this perfect love is possible. Joy is more than happiness. Happiness is fleeting and dependent on external things. But Joy comes from within. The Holy Scriptures say that in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11). Joy unspeakable radiates from within you to all those around you because of this amazing hope of glory. It is Elohim that will fill your heart with joy and peace (Romans 15:13). This kind of joy money can not buy. This kind of joy ignites those around us.

 

To be continued...

 

PrayerfortheWeek

Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of my life. Thank you for the gift of my salvation. May the fruit of Your Spirit dwell in me and be reflected in my character forever.  In the Mighty name of Yeshua. Amen.

 

If you accept Jesus or turned back to him through listening to this programe, please get in touch. I am so excited! You give me hope and joy and are my proud reward and crown when I stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns. Yes, you are our pride and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT) Inbox me, email me, just get in touch. I want to join you in prayers every day. My email is info@adeolaakintoye.com