Gleanings for October 19

GOOD THOUGHTS PRODUCE GOOD CHARACTER

We have been encouraging each other to develop a character that has integrity; one that is highly motivated by love. This definition of “character” taken from Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary will help us to know what “character means:

(l) The combination of emotional, intellectual, and moral qualities distinguishing one person or group from another.

(2) A distinctive feature or attribute—Characteristic.

(3) Moral or ethical strength: Integrity—a person with character.

(4) Reputation.

Developing character is not a fight against “sin”—only the blood of Jesus can wipe out our sin as we yield ourselves to Him.

It is important for us to remember that God does not hold us responsible for the sin we inherited (from father Adam) and no one is condemned because of it.

It is only when we realize that Jesus came to take sin away and we refuse to allow Him to do so—that is a crucial point in a person’s life. We MUST know and believe that when we confess our sin,

First John l verse 9 “God is faithful to forgive that sin.”

A person who is living with a sense of condemnation is going to find it very difficult to build a strong emotional or even intellectual life. Our loving Father God wants us free of guilt as we place our trust in His Word.

We shared a few days ago that when God speaks a Word it MUST (and will) come to pass. It is our part to decide whether or not we choose to believe that His Word can be trusted.

Romans 8: 1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk after the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” I pray you will CHOOSE to receive the truth of that verse into your own life right now.

“Choice” is where the conflict often begins. We can decide (when we are born of the Spirit) whether we will walk according to the Spirit, and if we will allow the Holy Spirit to be the DIRECTOR of our lives..

We can make the right choice because our Helper is with us. Once again it is God’s written Word that shows this:

II Corinthians 10: 3 - 5 NKJV: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds;

“Casting down arguments (imaginations) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

To build a strong character, we must take our thoughts “captive”. In other words—make sure you are thinking only those things that are going to help build strength of character into your life. More about that another time—till then:

WALK IN THE JOY of the Lord—it WILL be your STRENGTH!!