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What is Godly Character? Understanding Character from a Biblical Perspective – Viral Believer
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What is Godly Character? Understanding Character from a Biblical Perspective

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to live a life that reflects the character of Christ. This means that our words, actions, and attitudes should be a reflection of His love, joy, and peace. But what exactly is godly character, and how can we cultivate it in our lives?

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of godly character from a biblical perspective. We will delve into the traits that make up godly character, as well as the principles for developing it.

Whether you are a seasoned believer or a new Christian, understanding and cultivating godly character is essential for spiritual growth and effective Christian living.

So join us as we dive deeper into the word of God to discover what godly character truly means and how we can live a life that reflects His character.

good character in the Bible

Defining Godly Character

The word “character” comes from the Greek word “charaktēr,” which means “engraved mark” or “imprint.” In essence, character refers to the imprint that our behavior and actions leave on the world around us. Godly character, then, refers to the qualities and attributes that reflect the character of God.

One of the clearest descriptions of godly character can be found in Galatians 5:22-23, which reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

These nine traits make up the fruit of the Spirit and serve as a blueprint for godly character.

Developing Godly Character

Developing godly character requires intentional effort and a willingness to submit to God’s guidance. The Bible provides several principles for developing godly character, including:

1. Pursuing God through prayer and study

To develop godly character, we must first pursue a relationship with God. This means spending time in prayer and studying His word. As we draw closer to God, His character becomes more evident in our lives.

2. Practicing self-control

Self-control is a key aspect of godly character. It enables us to resist temptation and live in a way that honors God. Proverbs 25:28 says, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” We must exercise self-control in all areas of our lives, including our thoughts, actions, and speech.

3. Embracing humility

Humility is another important aspect of godly character. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

When we embrace humility, we put the needs of others above our own and demonstrate the love of Christ.

Traits of Godly Character

So what are the specific traits that make up godly character? Here are a few of the most important:

1. Love

Love is the foundation of godly character. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” God’s love for us is unconditional, and we are called to love others in the same way.

2. Joy

Joy is a deep sense of happiness that comes from knowing God. It is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with Him. As Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

3. Peace

Peace is a sense of calm that comes from knowing that God is in control. As Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” When we trust in God, we can have peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

4. Longsuffering

Longsuffering, or patience, is the ability to endure hardship or difficult people without losing hope or becoming angry. It is a fruit of the Spirit that is closely tied to love and humility.

As Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”

5. Kindness

Kindness is a selfless act of compassion towards others. It involves treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances. As Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

6. Goodness

Goodness is a moral excellence that reflects the character of God. It involves doing what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. As 3 John 1:11 says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”

7. Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a commitment to follow God’s will and obey His commands. It involves being trustworthy and reliable in all areas of life. As Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”

8. Gentleness

Gentleness, or meekness, is a humble and gentle attitude towards others. It involves being patient and slow to anger, even in difficult situations.

As Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

9. Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to govern our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It is a fruit of the Spirit that enables us to resist temptation and live in a way that honors God.

As 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, godly character is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith. It involves developing a close relationship with God and allowing His character to be reflected in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit serves as a blueprint for godly character, and each of its nine traits plays a crucial role in our spiritual growth.

As we strive to develop godly character in our lives, it is important to remember that it is a lifelong process. We will face challenges and setbacks along the way, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can press on and continue to grow.

Let us continue to pursue God and allow His character to be reflected in our lives, so that we may be effective witnesses for Him in the world around us.

Finally, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the principles and traits of godly character that we have explored in this post.

Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you may need to grow and seek His guidance as you continue on your journey of developing godly character. May we all strive to live a life that reflects the character of Christ and brings glory to God.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.