TOPIC: IDENTIFY PEOPLE BY THEIR CHARACTER

TEXT: MATHEW 7:20

Yes, just as you can identity a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by
their actions. Mathew 7:20 (NLT).

Friends, the place of character in the life of a Christian cannot be
overemphasized.

WHAT IS CHARACTER?
Character can be defined as the inner qualities that form a pattern for an
individual behaviour. Character is a life style and sum total of a person.
Christian character is what makes you count and relevant to your world,
especially. Those you meet with and spend time with daily.
It is by peoples character and behaviour that you know them.
Your character is your real you. It is who you are on the inside.
Your character is what you manifest when you are provoked or
challenged.
A believer must be known, acknowledged and indentified by his
character.
A mans beauty and what he attracts in life is a function of his
character.
Anointing without character makes the carrier stink.
Therefore, in order not to loose focus and relevance in life you must work on
your character. Character is a serious business and God is very much
interested in our character. Our God also has those qualities that makes Him
the ALMIGHTY GOD, one of such qualities is holiness Leviticus 19:2.
The inner qualities transcends the physical beauty. Yes, because someone can
look beautiful on the outside adored with all the make-ups and expensive
wears and still suffer from character disease.
Friends, character is what determines how far you go in life and also
determines the flow of Gods blessing, favour, connections, contacts and
opportunities into your life.

One reason why many prayers are still not answered today is because of
character. God is a God of character and standard 1 Cor. 14:40. He cannot
fall short of His standard because of your disobedient character

WHAT MAKES UP A MANS CHARACTER
1) Thoughts - Prov. 23:7
2) Imagination Gen. 11:1-6, Gen. 13:14-18, Eph. 3:20. Ability to
create mental picture in your mind and it can influence your character a
great deal. Also create the time to think and imagine in Gods word.
3) Attitude: Attitude refers to mens disposition or tendencies and has great
influence on mens character
4) Actions: This gives expression to the totality of our character


QUALITIES OF A CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
(1) LOVE: 1 John 4:7-8, Gal. 5:6, 1Cor. 2:9 to exhibit love is to give
expression of Gods nature, because God is love.
(2) HUMILITY & MEEKNESS: Philippians 2:5 11, Psl. 25:9,
Having the right attitude in service. Being teachable and easily
correctable
(3) DISCIPLINE: This is doing what is required to get what you desire.
It is denying yourself certain priviledges in order to reach your goal
that is being hard to yourself with a view to achieving a set target.
- It is imposed self control 1 Cor. 9:24-27, II Timothy 2:3-4
(4) HOLINESS: Holiness is having right standing with God and men. It
means right living in accordance with Gods law.
EFFECTS OF HOLINESS
- Sin is put to death in your body Rom 6:1-4, Gal. 5:19-23.
- Release of your miracles Hosea 5:13-17, Mark 2:5, II Chronicles
7:14
- Guarantees Liberty II Cor. 13:17
- Guarantees Gods presence II Cor. 5:8
- Delivers you from poverty Deut. 28:16-18, Psl. 34:10, I Tim. 6.
(5) HONESTY: This is the state of being truthful, trustworthy, and
faithful to God and men in all areas of life Acts 6:3.
(6) INTEGRITY: This is saying what you mean and meaning what you
say, that is, a man of your word. It is being right in character, Prov.
11:3, James 1:3-4.
(7) DILIGENCE: This is to be dutifully productive, hardworking
spiritually, physically, and mentally Prov. 22:29, Prov. 10:4,
Prov. 12:24.
(8) COURAGE: It is the ability to control fear in the face of danger in
order to triumph. Ability to continue and not give up. I Samuel
30:1-8
(9) MORAL EXCELLENCE: It is a blameless conduct without blemish
I Timothy 3:7, Mathew 7:20, Prov. 23:7, Mathew 12:34, I
Samuel 2:3
(10) SERVANTHOOD: Servanthood is a sure pathway to honour. A
believer who desire greatness must learn to serve and be ready to
serve others. It entails attending to the needs of others, in the name
of the Lord. It is being faithful in whatever you find yourself doing.
Luke 16:12, Luke 22:7.
(11) WISDOM: Wisdom comes from information that gives knowledge
and brings understanding when skillfully applied. It is the skillful
application of learned or acquired information or knowledge Matt.
7:24-25. i.e. a wise man is someone applying skillfully information
learned.
- It is the rightful application of knowledge
- It is knowing what to say and saying it Luke 21:15
- It is knowing where to go and going there Eccl. 10:15, Prov.
4:8-10.
- God is the giver of wisdom
(12) OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Decency in our outward appearance for
Glory and Beauty to the Grace of God. Rom. 12:1

WAYS TO DEVELOP CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
Christian character is not a gift, but a choice. It is a virtue developed overtime
by taking advantage of the help of the Holy Spirit I Cor. 15:10.

1. Desire, determination and passion Daniel 1:8, Prov. 18:1. It comes
from the heart.
2. Word study and meditation II Timothy 2:15, Col. 3:15, Joshua
1:8.
3. The help of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit not only teaches us but also
empowers us Jude 20, John 14:26, I John 2:27, Isaiah 30:21.
4. Keep wise company: The company you keep either makes you or mar
you Prov. 13:20.
5. Practice of the word: we must practice the word James 1:22.