Character Matters

(Prov. 4:23-27; 6:16-19; Matt. 15:16-20)

Character: The notable/conspicuous/ distinguishing moral/ethical traits or characteristics of a person

that give evidence of their essential nature and which ultimately shape their reputation.

Character vs. Reputation: It has been said that an individual’s character can be illustrated by a
barrel of apples. The apples seen on top by all represent one’s reputation, and the apples that lie
hidden underneath are his character.

"Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the nation" - Cicero, Roman Philosopher

Our character...is an omen of our destiny, and the more integrity we have and keep, the simpler
and nobler that destiny is likely to be. - George Santayana (1863 - 1952), "The German Mind:
A Philosophical Diagnosis"

President Harry Truman used to say: "Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take
wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow, only one thing endures -- character.”

Evangelist Charles Spurgeon wrote, "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved
you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve
your name on hearts, and not on marble.”

"What you are stands over you... and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the
contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Even a child is known by his action by whether his conduct is pure and right.” (Prov.
20:11; See also 1 John 3:17-21)

In his book The Death of Character, James Hunter, a noted sociologist from the University of
Virginia, concludes that while Americans are innately as capable of developing character as
they ever were in the past, there are now few cultural or institutional guidelines in our society
that call for its cultivation or maintenance. The reason, he suggests, is because there is no
consensus of moral authority.

A “heart that plots wicked schemes” and “feet eager to run to evil”, describe people who are
devoid of character.

Unethical behavior is not just a recent phenomenon

In the sixth century, B.C., the philosopher Anacharsis once said, “The market is
a place set apart where men may deceive one another.”

Two centuries later, Diogenes was spotted carrying around a lighted lamp, up
and down the city streets, in the middle of the day. When asked what he was
doing, he replied, that he was looking for an honest man.
What is our “heart”?

The word “heart” is found 963 times in the Bible.

“Heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of
our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as "the place of conscious and
decisive spiritual activity," "the comprehensive term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires,
passions, thought, understanding and will," and "the centre of a person. - J. Stowell, Fan The Flame

Our Father constantly calls to us, "My son, give me thine heart." If our hearts are not right before God,
all of our religious exercises are mere formalities; and abominations before God. Unless our hearts are
right before God, all that we do is rejected by him, no matter how much it is applauded by people (Is.
66:2-4; 1 Cor. 13:1)

Without the aid of God’s Holy Spirit, we have no hope of maintaining a “clean heart” (Rom.
3:10-12)

The human heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9; Prov. 20:26)

Defilement comes from a corrupt heart (Matt. 12:34-35; 15:18-20; Mark 7:21-23)

A thankless heart, that does not glorify God, will be darkened (Rom. 1:21)

Signs of a life not controlled by God’s Holy Spirit

Gk. Sarx, flesh – represents our old, fallen, sinful nature

Sexual Sin – adultery, fornication, homosexuality, pornography, other sexual

immorality, etc.

Religious Sin – idolatry, witchcraft, astrology, “belief-shopping”, failure to pray,

blasphemy, lack of zealousness, lack of joy, lack of peace, worldly pursuits,
thanklessness, etc.

Relational Sin - lack of love, selfishness, tantrums, theft, hatred, false testimony,
gossip, discord, dissensions, factions, jealousy, envy, etc.

Sins of Excess- drunkenness, gluttony, drug abuse, pretentious living, etc.

But with the aid of God’s Holy Spirit, we can have our hearts “cleansed” and grow in Godly
character (Ezek 36:25-27; Gal. 5:16-25)

We are called to “keep on living by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16)

When we purpose in our hearts on a moment-to-moment basis to do God’s will, He empowers

us to do that will.

Walking in the Spirit is a lifelong process of submission to the will of God.

We must pray for God’s Spirit to help us resist “evil thoughts”/temptation (Matt. 14:38; Phil
4:6-7))

Constant reliance on God’s grace is necessary because our sinful nature continually resists the
Spirit. (Gal. 5:17, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Rom. 7-14-8:4)

We can and should ask God to cleanse our hearts regularly (Ps. 51:10)

We need to guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23), because God knows are hearts (1 Sam. 16:7;
Ps. 44:21) and will judge our hearts (Gen. 6:5-7)

We should seek to emulate the character of Our creator

The Eightfold character of God (Lam. 3:22-31)

1. Merciful
2. Compassionate
3. Faithful
4. Good
5. Deliverer
6. Just and righteous
7. Longsuffering
8. Kind

Fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering
5. Gentleness
6. Goodness
7. Faith
8. Meekness
9. Temperance

A story is told about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity. He grew up alone and
lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. On his
way he discovered a beautiful mask that fit his making him look handsome. At first the mask
was uncomfortable and he was afraid that people would find out who he really was, but he
continued to wear the mask everyday. In his new hometown, he made many friends and fell in
love. But one day a wicked woman from his old home came to his town and discovered this
man’s true identity. In front of his friends and fiancé, she forced him to remove his mask. When
he removed the mask, it revealed a handsome face. His face had conformed to the mask.
Becoming like Christ is analogous to this. Go ahead and put on Christ. At first it may feel
unnatural or uncomfortable, and maybe you may think, "who am I trying to fool?" But
everyday just keep putting on Christ and everyday you will grow to look more like him.
The importance of developing and maintaining a “moral compass”

“the happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially
depend upon piety, religion, and morality." - The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, Ch. V, Sec.
2.

"We have no government capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and
religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate
to the governing of any other.” - John Adams

“The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance
and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity
to life.--Albert Einstein (in a letter 11/20/50)

The historian Arnold Toynbee observed: "Out of 21 notable civilizations, 19 perished not by
conquest from without but by moral decay from within."

The average American, by the age of 65, will have spent the equivalent of 15 years of their life
watching television.

By contrast, over the same time period, the average weekly church-going American will have spent
only 8 months of their life receiving spiritual instruction.

Ethical decision-making involves:

The ability to discern right from wrong

“He doesn’t have a moral compass.” Whistleblower Sherron Watkins describing Andrew
Fastow, former CFO of Enron. (Watkins gets frank about days at Enron, Edward Iwata, USA
Today, March 25, 2003, p. 3B.)

Ethical Absolutism: What is right or wrong is consistent in all places or circumstances. There
are universally valid moral principles. (“… only by obedience to universal moral norms does
man find full confirmation of his personal uniqueness and the possibility of authentic moral
growth.” - Pope John Paul II, see also Rom. 12:2)

Ethical Relativism (also called “Situational Ethics”): What is right or wrong varies
according to the individual/society/culture or set of circumstances. There are no universally
valid moral principles. (Related Biblical reference "everyone did what was right in his own
eyes" (Deut. 12:8, Judges 17:6; 21:25) (see also Isa. 5:20 & 24, Jer. 2:13, Rom. 1:18-32, 1 Cor.
5:6-7, 2 Cor. 6:14-15, 1 John 1:8)

Along with the commitment to do what is right.

8 Steps to Sound, Ethical Decision-Making

– 1. Gather as many relevant & material facts as circumstances permit.

– 2. Identify the relevant ethical issues (consider alt. viewpoints)
– 3. Identify, weigh & prioritize all the affected parties
– 4. Identify your existing commitments/obligations.
– 5. Identify various courses of action (dare to think creatively)
– 6. Identify the possible/probable consequences of same (both short & long-term)
– 7. Consider the practicality of same.
– 8. Consider the dictates and impacts upon your character & integrity.