Episode #35: How to Develop Your Character
Notes:
Overview:
- What is Character
- Why is it important to develop your character?
- How to develop into a man or woman of Character?
My Definition of Character: Character is who you are, where you are. Good or bad.
The importance of Character Development:
*Your character will either make the world a better place or a worse place.
“If you want a better world, composed of better nations, inhabited by better states, filled with better counties, made up of better cities, compromised of better neighborhoods, illuminated by better churches, populated by better families, then you’ll have to start by becoming a better person.” -Tony Evans
As a leader with influence, you can help a lot of people, but you can also hurt a lot of people. The healthier you are as a leader, the healthier your people will be. Not just for the short-term, but for the long-term. We need to give God time to grow and develop us.
The average person will unintentionally influence 10,000 people in their lifetime.
Are you becoming a leader worth following? Are you a friend worth following? A dad? A mom?
If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why should anyone else? -John C. Maxwell
Character is always the foundation of lasting and fruitful leadership!
Character enables us God wants us to be fruitful over the long haul:
2% of Christian leaders make it to the end
16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. **I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. -John 15:16
13 But the one who endures to the end **will be saved. Matthew 24:13
How to Develop Character
Character Development Takes Time
The God Factor
“My child,[e] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[f] 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. -Hebrews 12:5-11
When you allow God to be the architect of your growth, you’ll grow in areas you never knew you needed to grow in exactly when you’re ready to grow in them!
God knows what you will be doing in twenty years! Trust Him!
God will develop you One Character Issue at a Time**
How does God do it? Most often: Through His Word, speaking to your heart, and through people!
The People Factor
1.) Have people of Character that You Look Up To – We need to see it modeled. You’re seeing character modeled already, the question is, is it good or bad? The examples I had when I was growing up were doing drugs, etc. Then I met people who had good families, etc. I figured out early that if I would surround myself with people who are living the kind of lives I want to live, that i would learn how to do that!
Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future!
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” I Cor. 15:33
What influences do you allow in your life? What you watch. Who you listen to. All contribute to your character.
2.) Have people in your life who can speak openly into your life!
Who is speaking into your life that you’ll actually listen to?
The You Factor
Ultimately, nobody can choose to grow for you.
1.) Have the Courage to Work on Character Issues – Be willing to get help! – Go to counseling, etc.
“You’re only as strong as your biggest secret.”
“Remember one act of stupidity can destroy what years of faithfulness has built.” -Gerald Brooks
When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God. -Rick Warren
This is an inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey:
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable.As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country, And who knows, I might have even changed the world.”
Determine today that you’ll make it to the end of your course and become the man or woman of God that you were intended to be!
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