By definition, character is the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group or nation, moral excellence or firmness. The term in the Greek carries the idea of “the fact that one has proved oneself true or the act of proving himself true” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament). This is the idea Paul expresses of Timothy to the church at Philippi in recommending him to labor with them in the Gospel. “But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father” (Philippians 2:22).
Paul also mentioned how God uses the trials of life to produce such in the life of every Christian. “And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Obviously character isn’t something that happens by accident, but something we develop through the course of our lives. It doesn’t happen automatically when we obey the Gospel, but it is something we devote ourselves to forming in our hearts and lives. It doesn’t come through theoretical reasoning, but rather character develops in the arena of everyday living, dealing with the good and bad of life, fighting battles for what is right and overcoming those forces that would thwart the goal of holiness in us. Paul reminded the Corinthians, “I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything” (2 Corinthians 2:9).
Character, then, is something we take a lifetime to shape and form in us. If we don’t nurture it with God’s love and discipline, with knowledge, understanding and application of God’s Word, then something else will result. That something else is sin, the temptations Satan utilizes against us to ensnare and destroy us. We recognize this when we may be told about someone, “That person is really a character!” or “What he said and did revealed his true character.” Character isn’t just an image one projects, but it includes what flows naturally from the heart. Jesus warned, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him. For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person” (Mark 7:20-23).
What type of character do we possess, then? Whatever we choose. The story is told of an old Cherokee speaking to his grandson. “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.” The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.” Which one do you feed?
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-8)
