Be the Real Deal
This past week in our daily devotionals, I touched on a subject that has been stirring in my heart. I titled the devotion, “Be the Real Deal,” emphasizing that we cannot be one way in front of people and another way behind closed doors. Character matters: it is the very substance of who we are as Christians. Be real, be authentic; don’t say one thing and be something different. Through this devotion, I encourage you to examine your heart and the integrity of your character.
Here are four key points in helping to develop Godly character.
1) Be daily in The Word.
2) Lay down your right to be offended.
3) Be full of the Holy Spirit.
4) Have someone in your life to tell you yes and no.
1.) Be Daily in the Word.
The Word renews our minds, brings us peace, and adjusts incorrect thought patterns.
Romans 12:2 says,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
The Word teaches us the patterns of Christ; we are transformed by renewing our mind in the Word.
Isaiah 26:3 says,
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.”
Perfect peace is found when you are in His Word. Here we learn His ways, His character, how He acts, loves, and lives.
Thought patterns can dictate our actions and behavior. The enemy speaks lies and twisted truths to us regularly, trying to form the way we think and, in turn, act. We need to disrupt these patterns to change our behavior. Behavior is what displays character. The Word of God is truth cutting through the lies of the enemy. The Word is our weapon to fight these lies.
Look at these two verses in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Strongholds are embedded thought patterns that dictate our behavior. They are like a habit that is hard to break. We need the truth of the Word to destroy these arguments. We silence the enemy’s lies by turning our thoughts to what God says instead of what the enemy is saying. We become convinced of truth by finding what God says in His Word. We need to take control of our thoughts, making them obedient to what Christ says, not the lies the enemy is continually using to convince us.
Here are two more verses before we leave point number one.
Romans 8:5-6
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
2.) Lay down your right to be offended.
When you become a follower of Jesus, you should lay down your right to be offended. This decision doesn’t mean that you don’t feel, react, or become upset or angry. However, it does mean that you live in a state of forgiveness. Your actions are governed by a mindset of forgiveness rather than a need to defend yourself. You realize God is your defense, and being right in His eyes is what matters. Watch Christ’s behavior in this prophecy from Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
It is interesting that In all Christ went through at the cross; He found no need to answer his accusers or defend himself. He was secure in who He was and what He was called to do. What He was accomplishing through walking in obedience to His Father was more powerful then any defense he could utter with His mouth.
Furthermore, look at what Proverbs says about being offended:
Proverbs 18:19
“A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.”
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Determining to be a person who will not be offended is key to a great character.
3.) Be full of the Holy Spirit.
God not only gives us His Word, but He left with us His Spirit to help guide us. I have often found that reading the Word of God is not enough; we need the Holy Spirit to breathe on it and make it come to life.
John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
1 Corinthians 2:10 says it this way
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”
The Holy Spirit teaches us and reveals things to us. We also need the Holy Spirit to fill us so that we have His character.
Galatians 5:22-23 says:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control….”
That is what it looks like to be full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also leads us out of the things that entrap and ensnare us and into freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
4.) Have someone in your life that can tell you yes or no.
We all need a shepherd. No matter how long or how deep you go in your walk with Christ, there will be times that you need outside guidance or a bigger perspective.
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
The crowd was harassed and helpless because they were without a shepherd. In our early college years, Pastor Jim and I began to realize our desperate need not only for God but for a spiritual mom and dad (shepherd). We needed someone that would love us and watch out for us. God has continually blessed us with great spiritual parents over the years. These relationships bring much-needed guidance and counsel to our lives. Our spiritual fathers and mothers are great men and women of God and have permission to say “yay” or “nay” to things we endeavor to accomplish. Their wisdom, guidance, and perspective are priceless to us. They also speak to our character and hold us accountable for our actions. We can attribute much of the fruit of our lives to these relationships. They have been our shepherds through many ups and downs and help mold our character through those times.
In conclusion, here are four keys to developing Godly character – One: Be in The Word of God daily. Two: Lay down your right to be offended. Three: Stay full of the Holy Spirit. Finally: Remember we all need a shepherd in our lives to help guide us through the hills and valleys.
Let’s be the real deal!