Character
The inward motivation to
do what is right, whatever
the cost.
“It is the God side of man.”
In all man’s ability to become what he needs to be,
there seems to be an outside spiritual source that
superimposes itself upon us for character.
GOD
Character is how we think. It is how we
act around others, and how we are when
we are alone. Character within will
manifest character without.
You can not truly be to others a person of
character unless first you are to yourself
truly a person of character.
Having character is:
Being big enough to admit and admire the
abilities of people who are better at
something than you are.
The ability and willingness to do for others
even when they can not do for you.
Where we go and what we do
advertises me and you.
People that get in fights a lot are probably ________?
People that look at pornography are probably __________?
People that hang around with drug addicts are probably ________?
People that lie a lot are probably ________?
People that are in bars every night are probably _______?
Always pay attention to what a man is and
not what he has been.
Look for who he really is and not who he
says he is. A man who has to prove who
he is, is not the man he thought he was.
The Bible is full of examples of people
with and without character. We can use this
for a guide.
In fact, one evidence of the value of the Bible
is the character of those that oppose it.
It is not the responsibility you carry that shows
character, but how you handle that
responsibility, and how you treat others with that
responsibility.
How do you treat people at work?
How do you treat your family when you are home from work?
How do you treat your boss when he reprimands you?
How do you treat your spouse when they reprimand you?
Your reputation (what people think about
you) is precious, but your character is
priceless.
You can’t buy character, but you can buy your
reputation from people with no character.
Your character is home grown
You can usually determine the caliber of a man
by ascertaining the amount of opposition it takes
to discourage him.
The true character of a man is not what
he will do in public, or what he will do in
the light. It is what he does while he is
alone and even in the darkness.
Character is not made in a crisis, it is
exhibited in that crisis. Any flaw in our
character will show up under pressure.
To change one’s character, you must
begin at the heart.
To change one’s heart, we must begin with who
is control of it. Who ever is in control of the
heart determines the character of the person.
Who have you given your heart to?
Reputation is what it takes to get a job,
but it is character that you need to keep
it.
A pat on the back will develop character if given
young enough, often enough, low enough, and
hard enough. Character starts with discipline.
Men who have genius are admired, men
of wealth are envied, men of power are
feared, but only men of character are
trusted.
Would you still help someone if the person who
needed it wouldn’t know it was you who helped
them? Would it change your attitude about who
you would help?
The two great tests for character are wealth
and poverty.
Wealth tests the power that you have
been given and poverty tests the
humility that you have been given. Each
is separate and needful for us to have
true character.
The character of the bridge is found at its
weakest point. (It is only as strong as its weakest part.) The
same is true with man. We are only as strong as
our weakest point, and that is where our
character will be tested.
Character is like sweet herbs, when put to
the test under pressure, it will give off its
best fragrance. Is this what people see in
you under pressure?
Or is this what people see when they
look at you?
Character is either learned…
Or not
We can affect the world with character if we set
our goals to do so.
How are you affecting the people that you are
around?
What are the characters you see in these men?
Take a look at yourself, what do you see? Do you
have character?
Group:
Pair off in small groups and identify the
main character that you see in each other.
Write them down and explain why you
think they have this character.
Here is a list:
Alertness
Attentiveness
Availability
Benevolence
Boldness
Cautiousness
Compassion
Contentment
Creativity
Decisiveness
Deference
Dependability
Determination
Diligence
Discernment
Discretion
Endurance
Enthusiasm
Faith
Flexibility
Forgiveness
Generosity
Gentleness
Gratefulness
Honor
Hospitality
Humility
Initiative
Joyfulness
Justice
Loyalty
Meekness
Obedience
Orderliness
Patience
Persuasiveness
Punctuality
Resourcefulness
Responsibility
Security
Self control
Sensitivity
Sincerity
Thoroughness
Thriftiness
Tolerance
Truthfulness
Virtue
Wisdom