June, 2018 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Six Spiritual Qualities That Shape Character

The Character of the Month Series

I learned many years ago while teaching in an elementary school, that certain spiritual qualities develop specific academic skills. Spiritual qualities actively produced positive character attributes, which in turn developed needed learning skills.

Having problems with your character? Not good at learning? Are you making the same fatal mistakes and consistent negative behavior patterns day after day? It’s time to try these simple truths that are based on Scripture. (I will not bore you with a thesis on character development but will simply offer you the traits to ‘building a better you’.)

These traits come out of the Book of Isaiah and the Gospels of the New Testament. So pay attention to what you are reading and you will recognize them. God placed them in His Word so you could change who you are to who God wants you to be.

1. Be a person of commitments. Make simple and little commitments then progress to more significant and larger commitments. It is a person who makes a promise and keeps it, that our Father is looking to bless.

2. Be not a person who is weak. Your self-esteem is critical to God. We must believe that we are able, unafraid, and willing to take on tasks that prove who we are. “I am able” is what God is asking of us to say to ourselves at the beginning of each new challenge in our lives.

3. Be positive! Think positive and say positive words. Negative words produce failure by looking to the worse that can happen rather than the best that could happen. Circumstances should not dictate our outcomes or our decisions in life.

4. Be a person that follows up with positive acts of behavior once you have demonstrated #1-3 in a particular situation. Positive words demand positive behavior, so act in positive ways. Be a ‘life changer’ to those around you.

5. We must believe that everyday God has given us is God’s day. Each and everyday God’s will can and should be done in all that we do and in every circumstance. Today is the day of the Lord and He fulfills His will and speaks His truth into everything is happens. Today is the day for God’s best to be in our lives!

6. There are consequences to all behavior. We must understand and realize that God is the judge of all things. Poor decisions produce bad behavior. It is imperative that we abide within God’s commandments and love Him knowing He will one day judge all of us.

When you display these spiritual qualities in all you do, then you will have the character that will change humanity. What would Jesus want me to do? Well, it is simple—show forth these six qualities that flow from the character of Christ (Isaiah 61:1-2).

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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