Character

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Job 1:1 How Would You Be Described?

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1

Every day people are described by others by how they are known. There are thousands of different ways that a person can be described, depending upon how others see that person. Usually, the description of a person is based off of what that person does and what that person’s character is like. These descriptions can be either positive or negative, helpful or harmful, but often are truthful.

Job is described as from the land of Uz and being blameless, fearing God and shunning evil.

Many people are very focused on making sure that they are known by a certain way. They want to be known as a great actor, a worker in a specific field, a good person or some other specific way that can show what they have physically done with their life.

Some people do not really care about what others think of them. They live their lives just how they want with no concern for others.

Often believers are not seen as one’s who fear God nor shun evil. Many act, speak and look just like the world, guilty of active sinful habits.

Jesus had given His followers to be a witness in this world, to let others see God in and through them by their words and actions. Some of the characteristics of true believers are that they will fear God, be blameless and flee all evil. Each of these characteristics come out of fear or respect for God, knowing who God is and His characteristics.

Every believer who can be described like Job was, is one whose character is just like that of Jesus.

People will have some description of who you are and what you are like. While some of those descriptions may be a little off, most will be accurate.

Take a moment to think about how you would accurately describe yourself. Would it be a description that you believe would honor and please God? Or would it be one that looks like the world? Seek to live your life like Jesus did and to look like Jesus to the world, fearing God, blameless and shunning all evil.

As you go through your days, how would others describe who you are? How would God describe you?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be found blameless in Jesus; that you will fear and respect God and His commands to you; that God will give you strength to flee all sin; and that you will be described as a true follower of God.

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1 Kings 21:20 Have You Sold Yourself Out?

Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.” 1 Kings 21:20

As a person is going through life there are times in which there is something that he wants to have or do so much that he is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill that desire. The world believes that one can go for anything that he wants, as long as it does not harm another and pleases self. Many will sell off anything to make something happen.

After King Ahab had Naboth killed to gain his property, Elijah found him. Elijah told Ahab that he found him because he had sold himself to do evil before God.

The world believes that a person deserves to get anything that he desires. It is up to the individual to run after his desires with everything in him. Nothing is to be forbidden to gain personal self-pleasure. In the process of chasing after desires, all morality, self-control and character are often thrown out or cast aside.

Believers in the church will sometimes get caught up in the same manner of thinking as the world. Some will take their eyes off of God and seek after the things of this world.

When they cannot get it, some will begin to sin against God in order to get it. Lying, cheating and stealing begin to occur in order to get what they want. Their soul is sold off to sin and the devil to get what they want.

Instead of selling their souls to sin, believers are to be sold out to God. He is to have complete ownership of their lives. True believers will trust God for what they receive or do not receive and will not sell out to get what God does not want to give them.

You will have times in which there is something that you desire greatly but are not allowed to receive. In those times you have a choice to make. You can trust God with not getting that desired item, or you can sell out your soul to fight against God and get it anyway.

Do not give into greed and selfish desires to sin against God to get those desires, but trust God. Sell your life to God and His desires, not to self and the fallen world of sin.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will accept what God gives or does not give you; that God will give you strength to resist temptation to doing evil for gain; and that you will live your life to serve and honor God.

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1 Samuel 16:7 View The Heart Instead

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Appearances can be very deceiving. One can look very well dressed with a well-kept appearance and like a good person, but in reality, be very violent and dangerous.

All that people can fully see is what is on the outside of a person, the physical appearance. Until one gets to know a person closely, they cannot know the person’s heart and true character.

As Samuel was looking at Jesse’s sons for who would be the next king, God told him to not look at the outward appearance. He said that He looks at the heart of the person.

God looks at the heart of a person because that is what shows the true character of a person. From the heart is what determines what a person chases after and desires.

Most people have a heart that is focused upon themselves and their own personal desires. The heart is often one of selfish, personal idolatry–worshipping self more than God. Well dressed and good-looking people are some of those who have committed the most horrible crimes in history as they focused upon themselves.

Instead of being focused upon themselves, believers should have their heart focused upon God, His kingdom and others. The heart goal of the believer is to be more like Jesus and to do God’s work on this earth.

Although a person cannot fully see the heart, God can reveal it through His Holy Spirit. He can open spiritual eyes to see the heart rather than the physical outward appearance, both of one’s own self and of the heart of others.

Just as with the sons of Jesse, you may have a good appearance on the outside, but God sees the heart. Do not allow your heart to be like that of the world, selfish and idolatrous.

Allow God to look into your heart and reveal the truth of who you are. Then let the Holy Spirit change your heart to be one that is running after God’s heart.

Along with revealing your own heart, seek God to open your eyes to the truth of the hearts of other people. Do not be deceived by outward appearances in yourself or others.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will allow God to reveal your heart to you; that you will trust God’s judgement upon your heart; that you will live to seek, serve and worship God with all of your life; and that you will allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the hearts of other people.

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Ruth 3:11 What Are You Known For?

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Ruth 3:11

Every person is known for something. Famous people are often known by what they can do or what they had done. Singers are known for their voice and songs, actors for their movies, sportsmen for their championships or wins. Others are known for their extreme wealth or discoveries in the science or medical fields.

While these things may be good, they are all surface and temporary and do not reveal who the person really is.

Boaz told Ruth that in his town all the people knew her as a woman of noble character and so he was willing to do what she asked of him.

Even though many people are known for doing some amazing things, very few are known for their character as being noble. It is common for famous people to do great things but have very poor character. They are then known for getting drunk, doing drugs, getting into fights, abusiveness, foul language and much more, despite all their famous abilities.

Although believers should be known for a noble character, many have the same character as those in the world. Lying, cheating, stealing, abusiveness, drunkenness, greediness and more are known characteristics of many in the church, and often without regret or sorrow.

Believers are to be set apart as different. Their character should shine before their world as one of noble character, that of God. As Jesus, the believer should live his life above reproach and of a different character than the world.

People should know the believer as one of noble character that can be trusted to do what is right no matter how difficult it is.

Regardless of where you live, there are people who live around you who are watching you, know you and make judgements on your character. Some of these people will see you in the best of your times and in the worst of your times.

How you act and react to situations will show your true character, whether noble or corrupt. Everything that you say or do should reflect God’s Holy Spirit in your life. A noble character should be the description of your life.

How would people around you, both known and unknown, close or distant, describe your character?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be known for a Godly and noble character; that all of your words and actions will reflect God’s character; and that God will give you strength to always do what is right.

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Numbers 12:7 Can God Call You Faithful?

But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. Numbers 12:7

People will always have some type of description for those that they know. Where it becomes important is when it is leaders or bosses giving the description.

These descriptions of a person are given by what is seen and heard on a regular basis. Perceived character is what is told about a person, how well a person works, how true is his word, how loyal is he, and how faithful is he. Often only a few people will score high on character.

After Miriam complained about Moses, God told them that Moses is faithful in His house, unlike many prophets.

Being found faithful is one of the greatest attributes that God can speak of a person. In order to be faithful, one must completely trust in God and obey His every command without question or hesitation.

Faithfulness is one characteristic that many people are missing, not only with God, but even with each other. Many will cheat or lie in the workplace or in their life with others. Cutting corners or doing the very minimum to accomplish self-desire and please the leader occurs on a regular basis as acceptable.

Jesus later said that it would be good for one to have God say ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ when he gets to heaven. God has a plan for each and every believer, a work for them to do. As He gives out directions, God expects the believer to carry out His instructions fully with no complaining or hesitation.

Acting faithfully in this way shows God that one completely trusts in Him and truly loves Him. It is also knowing that God fully loves him with a perfect love and will never ask anything to be done that is not good.

Looking at your own life, how would God be able to describe you?

God has plans for you, things for you to do in His kingdom. Some of these things will be easy, some will be hard, but all need to be done. Trust God and do what He asks of you to be found faithful.

Will you be like the world and try to cut corners or complain and try to get out of doing what God has asked? Or will you be like Moses and be found faithful in all of God’s house?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know all that God asks you to do; that you will be found faithful in God’s sight; that you will trust all that God tells you; and that God will use you to build His kingdom each day.