“Developing your character is never easy, which is why so many people abandon the pursuit. Character matters more than anything because you bring who you are into everything you do. Your character determines the kind of spouse, friend, employee, and leader you are. No matter how hard you try, you can’t escape you.”- Carey Nieuwhof
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”- Romans 7:18-19 (NLT)
As Carey Nieuwhof continues Chapter 3 of Didn’t See It Coming, he notes that, in Romans 7, the apostle Paul described the struggle we all feel. Because, even though we have ideals, our real world provides real challenges. So, despite our best intentions, our compromising leaves us compromised.
Furthermore, compromise begins in two ways. Sometimes it’s intentional, a deliberate action of which one’s fully aware. Most times, though, it happens more subtly. Also, this struggle possesses an innate quality. Not only does compromise exist within you, but life brings it out of you. And once you start going with the flow, before you know it, you’ve crossed the line.
As a result, Carey examines five telltale signs you’re drifting away from who you intend to be. Here’s the first sign.
1. There’s a growing gap between your public life and your private life. When you can no longer tell the world the truth, you’ve compromised your character. Thus, your project an inaccurate image. Hence, the exterior image the world sees fails to truly reflect your interior life. Look for gaps between your words and your deeds.
Finally, it’s much harder to spot hypocrisy in ourselves. For we judge ourselves by our intentions, while we judge other people by their actions. With this approach, we place a thin veneer that masks our action, making it look like intention. That starts your disconnect.
Today’s question: What Scriptures help develop your character? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “When you tackle your character”
