Godly Character: 4 Ways To Develop Godly Character Part 2
In my previous post, we established why we want Godly character. This post I want to share four actionable steps that we can take to work towards achieving that goal. My desire for you is to have a clear, simple, plan on how you're going to develop character not tomorrow but today!
The first thing I want YOU to think about, are three POSITIVE words that describe WHO you are. What makes you uniquely YOU? What are you really good at? What gets you fired up? If you're having a hard time choosing three words, how would OTHERS describe you? Now, I also want you to get curious about how you're feeling about this activity. Are you annoyed? Frustrated? Excited? There's no right or wrong words to choose to describe yourself and there's definitely no right or wrong way to feel about having to describe yourself, so just remain curious. When you stay curious, it's harder to be judgmental. This can be hard if it’s been awhile since you’ve thought about how to describe yourself. But remember, we get to choose our hard! It’s hard thinking in new ways like this, but It’s also hard not knowing WHO we are too. The only way we know WHO we are is if we give it time and attention and remember WHO's we are.
Knowing what you think about yourself is second only to knowing God's character. It is very important that we are aware of WHO we are and what we think about ourself! We need to know WHAT we’re working with in order to develop it.
A mechanic is aware of the exact car he's working on as he's tuning it up. A doctor is aware of the exact diagnosis when deciding on treatments. A recent quote that I've really latched onto lately is, "You can't monitor what you don't measure.". It's our responsibility to monitor who we've become and identify if it's aligned with Godly Character.
Keep the three characteristics you chose for yourself in mind as we go through the 4 main ways we develop Godly Character.
The first way to develop Godly Character is to Be true to yourself!
Thankfully right now, being authentic and “real” is in! The interesting thing about being true to ourselves is that we must first consider what version of ourselves we are being true to. Are we being true to the healthiest and holiest version of ourselves or to the most comfortable and convenient version? The world can be so loud and convince us our “true” self, is guided by feelings, and emotions. The challenge with this is that our emotions change quickly, so that mark is constantly changing. This is frustrating and defeating. Thankfully, there is a biblical way to live true to yourself!
It is a 2 step process:
1. acknowledging your shortcomings
2. focus on the maturing process of becoming more Godly
Here's the thing we need to be careful of, we can get stuck on focusing on our shortcomings, but that’s only the first part! We must work through that and lean into our Hope and challenge ourselves to mature. Just as many of us are developing our children, we must continue to develop ourselves. We are never too old, too wise, too "together" to stop growing and evolving. We need to practice what we preach!
So there are 3 practical ways to be true to yourself-
Monitor your input - The world is so noisy and the repetitive messages can convince us of things that aren't true, but there's lots of good things out there too, so find those and make sure there's more good going in than bad.
Surround yourself with positive people- We're the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with...so...do the people you spend time with encourage you and cheer you on, or do they constantly need things and drain you of energy? Take an audit of those people! When I was a stay at home mom, I realized that I was spending most of my time with toddlers and the teen moms I was mentoring. Now, these are both great but I realized I didn't have anyone pouring into me. I was exhausted from pouring into everyone else, so I started going on friend dates and finding women that inspired me! To get to that point, I had to be honest with myself that I needed friendships that were equal where I was getting poured into just as much as I was pouring into them. When you audit your people, are there equal amounts of people that pour into you and that you pour into? Take some time to reflect on your people!
And the third step of how to be TRUE to yourself is to Follow through on your word to yourself- This is fundamental. Having integrity, and doing the thing you said you'd do, when nobody else sees is the ultimate level of integrity. This demonstrates respect, respect for yourself. That your thoughts, feelings, and desires matter! When you respect yourself , you're better able to respect others!
Out of the three practical ways I just mentioned, decide on one that you are going to do today!
Monitor your input- what do you listen and look at often.
Surround yourself with positive people- who do you spend the most time with- keep in mind we're the average the 5 people we spend the most time with...
Follow through on your word to yourself- this means, when you say you're going to do something, DO IT! otherwise, don't say you're going to do it.
Okay, that was a lot, and that was just the FIRST way to develop Godly Character! So now, let's talk about the second way to develop Godly Character, which is to PRACTICE, because it Produces Progress.
You wouldn’t expect to take one voice lesson and sing like Beyonce, or take one design class and create like Joanna Gaines. In the same way, we don’t just say one prayer, or make one good choice, or think one kind thought to develop Godly Character, and all of a sudden have it mastered. While we all would love to pray that magical prayer and POOF have Godly Character, it is through time, trials and making consistent choices that character is formed. Character happens when we make a thousand, small, intentional choices that require hard work to do something that doesn’t come naturally and then on the thousandth-and-first-time, when it really matters, we automatically react the way we’ve been training for. And those reactions are based in our heart that has been formed more closely to God's.
In that moment it may seem as though it just happens, HOWEVER, reflection tells us that it is actually the result of consistent, previous choices we made when no one was looking. Character doesn’t just happen. It is a result of steady choices over time, so that when the opportunity presents itself, we respond with Godly Character. Because the inside eventually sneaks to the outside. Godly Character is something that will then naturally pour out of us. If you’re anything like me, I need accountability to do hard things. So, this is a great opportunity to consider getting a mentor, coach, or group of friends that are wanting to work towards the same goal of developing Godly Character. Here's your challenge on this step, Think of someone you want to help you develop your character and text them your idea to see if they'd be your accountability partner!
The third way to develop Godly Character is to Regularly, Renewing Your Mind.
The choices that we make are the fruit of what we think and believe. The things we think will eventually be made evident in the words we speak. The reality is that the surprising words that fly out of our mouth are evidence of our thought life. Our thoughts effect our emotions and our emotions effect our behaviors. It all starts in our mind. We cannot be passive about our thought life. In Romans 12:2,“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”
Here’s the bite sized version- in order to be different in the world, we have to start with our mind. Godly character is not just avoiding worldly behaviors. You can avoid a lot of worldly behaviors and still not be transformed on the inside. You can attend church your entire life and “be good” and still not be transformed. Renewing our minds requires us to intentionally work on changing the way that we think and what we believe. It is not a passive activity that just happens. We have to be purposeful about this process. Curious if what you’re thinking is of Godly character? Check out Phil 4:8 and run the thoughts through this verse. You can even use this verse to help guide you with what you’re spending time listening to and watching!
Is it true?
Is it fair to the person?
Is it unbiassed?
Is it wholesome?
Is it lovely?
Is it creditable?
Is it of moral excellence?
Is it commendable?
The fourth way to develop Godly character is to Remain in God. In John 15 it says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” We can’t develop Godly Character without God being part of the process. Check in with him. Spend quiet time praying and listening to him.
Godly Character matters. It’s more than just a personal choice of whether or not you mature. It is the evidence of your sincere faith, it produces hope in ourselves and others, and it draws unbelievers to Jesus. It is important for life on this earth as well as your inevitable interaction with God we will have some day. We want to hear, “well done good and faithful servant”!
God is filled with grace and wants to extend his mercy. You have an opportunity today to mature your character. You can do this by being honest and true to yourself, Practicing and creating healthy habits, Regularly renewing your mind, and of course REMAINING in him. God will never leave you stuck, but you also have to do the work. God loves you and will always be available to you. We are not weak. We are not helpless.
Although we may be tired, God offers to give us rest. Receive it and take action. Being a Christian isn’t passive. It is an act. Reflect and then take action! The enemy is going to tell you lies like, “you have a lot going on and don’t need to think about this” or “you’re being selfish for focusing on developing yourself”, or "you're totally fine, you don't do anything really bad".
But I guarantee you, that if you go to war on developing Godly Character, all of those lies will quiet in your mind, because God’s voice of truth will overpower them. His truth That YOU ARE a bold, strong and a courageous child of God. God made you with the potential for unshakeable Character, for such a time as this!
Developing Godly Character doesn't need to be done alone! If you're wanting someone to about this, I'm here for you and so is The No-Guilt Book Club! It's a safe space for women to be encouraged and learn from pre-selected books, that I know are going to challenge and inspire . There's no stress, no pressure, and lots of opportunity to grow! This is for busy women that don't feel like they have enough time to work on themselves, but know they want to!
Until next time, keep making those small edits in life, to create order so you step into your God-given potential!