Spiritual Character Development (part 1)

Spiritual Character Development (part 1)

Years ago there was sort of an unwritten check list of Christian behavior that was used to gauge one’s maturity.  The first items included daily “quiet time” and regular attendance at Sunday School, morning worship, evening service and Wednesday night prayer meeting.  After that each of the items were typically preceded by a negative.  Don’t dance; don’t go to movies; don’t drink; don’t smoke, etc.  However, external behaviors do not develop character, they simply reflect an ability to fit into a man-made system.  Character is rooted in one’s spirit, which is the core of who we are.

There is a check list that has been written down and preserved for those who follow Jesus.  It is found in Galatians 5:22-23 and contains nine items that work together to form ones spiritual character.  This list is known in Scripture as the “Fruit of the Spirit.”  If we are to be spiritually productive it will mean that we are monitoring the development of these nine traits in our own life.  A good exercise is to look at the brief definition of each aspect of the “Fruit of the Spirit” and measure one’s life habits against the simple truth of God’s Word.  Each one of us will find we have some growing to do.

Love – Love heads the list as it is truly the core characteristic of who we are to be as Christ Followers.  God is love (1 John 4:8).  Love is what motivated God to send Jesus to pay for our sins on the cross (John 3:16).  Love should motivate us in all we do for God (1 Corinthians 13).  Love is intentionally putting the well being of another person first. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Joy – Joy is often times used synonymously with happiness.  While there are similarities the way joy and happiness are expressed they are very different.  Happiness always depends on circumstances.  Biblical joy is dependent upon relationship with Jesus.  When one is in relationship with Jesus, there is a quiet confidence in the presence of God that gives an inner strength to weather any storm.  (Philippians 4:13).

Peace – When one is motivated by love and clinging to the quiet confidence of joy all bound up in a personal, dynamic, living relationship with Jesus Christ there is peace; that is rooted in the deepest part of who one is as a person.  This peace provides an inexplicable protection (Philippians 4:7) and it gives one confidence to overcome the struggles of life (John 15:33).

As a follower of Jesus, a disciple, is one who is daily learning to develop the inner qualities of love, joy and peace.  These qualities keep one’s focus on God.

Today’s Tip:  Ask God to help you grow in your love, joy and peace. 

Sit down with a friend who is your “spiritual traveling companion” and ask them to show you how they see you growing in these areas.  Then ask them to show you some ways that you could improve.

Read and think deeply about the following passages: 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 4:10-20; 1 John 4:7-21.

Write down and share with your “traveling companion” what the Holy Spirit is saying to you from God’s Word.