Suffering from our lack of Christian character

By MIKE PADGETT, pastor of Glasgow Bible Church

GLASGOW — One of the most basic spiritual elements in a Christian’s life is his character. Character is defined by Webster as: “one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual, the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation”.

As a group and as individual Christians, there are many characteristics that are Biblically expounded that should characterize our lives. Galatians 5:19-25 says, 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

I don’t know about you, but I have my share of difficulties living controlled by the Holy Spirit and thus allowing the character of Christ to be manifested in my life consistently. The myriad of characteristics listed in this passage are a check list for you and me to live by. One is not more important than the other but some of them most definitely affect others and should concern us extremely.

The “naughty” list in verses 19-21 pop up when we least desire them to explode on to the scene. Most evident to me over my 38 years of ministry have been my tendency to outbursts of anger, willingness to involve myself in disputes or dissensions and/or factions. One fellow said, “My temper is a small thing. I explode and then it is all over.” The friend replied, “A shot gun shell is a small thing but when is explodes, it leaves a lot of damage.”

Perhaps our families are the ones who suffer the most with our lack of Christian character. They are in our path and proximity the most. We can put on a pretty good show for an hour or two. We can hold everything in check for a while. But then, we get home and explode. Has that happened to you lately?

But some of these “naughty” things extend far beyond our families and friends and affect anyone in our path. Of note to me especially is “drunkenness”. In Ephesians 5:18 we are told, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” I have never been drunk or under the “drunken” control of drugs, except in the hospital, but I have exploded like the shot gun. Is either one less “naughty” than the other? I think not. But, no one has ever died from my fits of temper.

I can control my behavior by the grace of God and by the filling of the Holy Spirit but what about the person that does not have even a small dose of the Holy Spirit to control their character and thus their actions? I have tried to protect my family from the influences of the “naughty” list. My first step in that is my “self-control” (v23).

“Self-control’ means, SELF CONTROL. It means maintaining a safe, legal, ethical standard in my demeanor. I cannot expect persons who have not come to know the Savior to have “self-control”. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. I cannot hope that “drunkeness” will not occur in my neighborhood, county or city. Even Christians are given to “drunkenness.”

We are exhorted in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “abstain from every form of evil.” The spiritual person, according to the Bible, will obey the Bible and “abstain” from the “naughty” list to the best of his or her ability.

The “nice” list is far more inviting (v 22-25). Oh, how I long to have all these characteristics in my Christian life. Have I arrived – NO! Do I try to allow the Holy Spirit to run my life and control me every minute of my life – well, most of the time.

After all these years, I have understood that I am not perfect and will not be until the Lord returns or I go to be with Him. But, that does not excuse my lack of Holy Spirit control. Nor does it excuse yours.

We are only human, but if you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord then the “nice” list should be a major priority for your life. It is for mine.