Thursday October 12, 2016

 

We are living in a society in which reputation is more valuable than character; a society where our residence, the car we drive, the clothes we wear, our position, title, and wealth are the main goal. However, from the perspective of our Heavenly Father, we should value character more than reputation. After all, character is who we really are and reputation is simply who other people think we are.

 

Character is the willpower to do the right thing even when it is hard. The problem is who determines what is right? The good news is that our Heavenly Father has already established the standard of right and wrong. Therefore, character is now defined as the willpower to do what is right as defined by God.

 

In order to build character, we need to develop the willpower to do what is right. Recognizing that God has a standard of right and wrong is not the problem for most of us. The problem arises when we are tempted to choose accomplishments over character and when our reputation becomes more important than who we truly are.

 

Building character is more than a commitment to do what is right. We need to commit to doing what is right because it is the right thing to do. Furthermore, it is not just doing what is right because of its benefit or for gain or because we do not want to be caught doing the wrong thing and lose our reputation. No. It is a commitment to doing what is right because it is right even if we have to pay a price for doing the right thing. This is exactly where our Heavenly Father wants to lead us.

 

What is interesting is the fact that we have a tendency to push back or ignore building character in our lives because it is difficult to commit to God’s standard of right and wrong. Isn’t it true however, that we love dealing with people who are honest, integral, and trustworthy? Isn’t it true that we want people close to us to be people of character?

 

Proverbs 2:20-21 MSG

So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths. It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here.