We have the opportunity to build the character of God within us or better put, we have the opportunity to allow God to build His character within us. We say that we want this, but do we really? Every decision we make leads to an action or a non-action which in turn affects what our character will be. Let's start with a thought and see how the way we act on it affects us.
A thought not taken captive to the Lord Jesus Christ leads to a negative destructive ACTION. An action is what I do. The negative destructive action leads to a negative destructive HABIT. A habit is what I continually do. The negative destructive habit leads to a negative destructive STRONGHOLD. The stronghold is that which has captured my thoughts and emotions. The negative destructive stronghold leads to a negative destructive LIFESTYLE. The lifestyle is that which I need daily to be satisfied. The negative destructive lifestyle leads to negative destructive CHARACTER. The character is no longer THAT WHICH I DO but WHO I AM. So...eventually...my actions or what I do will through repetition, define me as to who I am.
NEGATIVE EXAMPLE: Someone who shares an untruth tells a lie. This is an action. Then that same person finds that telling lies is an easy way out of bad circumstances and creates a habit of lying. Then a stronghold of lying is built up within the person that they feel like they can't stop doing it. Then it becomes a lifestyle of lying. Then the character is setup within the person in that they not only lie but they are a liar. It moves from what they do to who they are.
Now bring all of this into the positive and spiritual. A thought comes in and the person chooses to obey the Word of God and not give in to the temptation of his mind and emotions. The thought is taken captive to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the spiritual action of obedience to God the Father. This develops into a habit, which develops into a stronghold. God and His Word becomes a mighty fortress in this man's life. His life is deeply anchored into the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having a life of daily obedience becomes a natural lifestyle. Then the character of God is developed and matured within the person. Now it is no more just what the man does, it is who he is as he walks a Christ-like life.
A thought not taken captive to the Lord Jesus Christ leads to a negative destructive ACTION. An action is what I do. The negative destructive action leads to a negative destructive HABIT. A habit is what I continually do. The negative destructive habit leads to a negative destructive STRONGHOLD. The stronghold is that which has captured my thoughts and emotions. The negative destructive stronghold leads to a negative destructive LIFESTYLE. The lifestyle is that which I need daily to be satisfied. The negative destructive lifestyle leads to negative destructive CHARACTER. The character is no longer THAT WHICH I DO but WHO I AM. So...eventually...my actions or what I do will through repetition, define me as to who I am.
NEGATIVE EXAMPLE: Someone who shares an untruth tells a lie. This is an action. Then that same person finds that telling lies is an easy way out of bad circumstances and creates a habit of lying. Then a stronghold of lying is built up within the person that they feel like they can't stop doing it. Then it becomes a lifestyle of lying. Then the character is setup within the person in that they not only lie but they are a liar. It moves from what they do to who they are.
Now bring all of this into the positive and spiritual. A thought comes in and the person chooses to obey the Word of God and not give in to the temptation of his mind and emotions. The thought is taken captive to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the spiritual action of obedience to God the Father. This develops into a habit, which develops into a stronghold. God and His Word becomes a mighty fortress in this man's life. His life is deeply anchored into the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having a life of daily obedience becomes a natural lifestyle. Then the character of God is developed and matured within the person. Now it is no more just what the man does, it is who he is as he walks a Christ-like life.
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Philippians 4:8-9 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
1 John 3:18 KJV My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. |
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Colossians 3:17 KJV And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. |