The Characteristic Of Wisdom Series

Developing Christian Character:

The Characteristic of Wisdom.

Character: - is defined as the pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; it is wisdom, humbleness, purity, reverence, moral constitution, moral firmness, self control, integrity, truthfulness, honesty, commitment, thoughtfulness, thankfulness, generosity, love, sharing, helpfulness, responsibility, thoroughness, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, courage, diligence, desire for excellence, perseverance, self discipline, determination and faithfulness.

This is what Jesus portrayed while he was here manifested in the flesh. The reason that he was able to portray these characteristics in His everyday life was because of what was in control of His mind. We must realize that what we believe in our minds, what we allow to determine our intellectual make up will personify itself through the actions that our bodies carry out rather that is good or evil. The devil desires to have control of the mind, because he knows that to gain control of the mind he can cause you to defile the body, which is the temple of the Holy Ghost and he knows that God will not dwell in an unclean temple. This ultimately causes one to be further and further away from God until they are ultimately lost for all eternity. God was in control of the mind of Christ; therefore, Jesus was able to manifest these characteristics in His normal everyday life. He was able to quite a blood thirsty mob that was hell-bent on stoning a woman caught in adultery because His character was purity which caused those to be able to see that they were not in themselves pure. When He was called a winebibber He didn’t loose His temper, He portrayed meekness and gentleness, compassion and understanding, His moral constitution was pure, He exemplified honesty, generosity, helpfulness, self-control, and humbleness.

How a Christian deals with the circumstances of their life speaks of their character. Understand the word Christian means Christ like. It was first used in Antioch, the people were called Christians because they portrayed Christ. Their talk, walk, and most importantly their actions were like Christ. So the people began to call them Christians as a slander and mockery. Therefore just because you go to someone’s church does not automatically make you a Christian, it only makes you a church member. However your actions classify and categorize you as either a Christian or a sinner. A crisis in your life does not necessitate character, but it does reveal it. Adversity in our lives is the fork in the road where a person chooses one path or the other. We must understand that character is more than just talk, anyone can say they have integrity, self-control, wisdom, and moral firmness, but their actions are the true indicator of their character. For example if a person is walking down the street and finds a wallet with a thousand dollars in it, everyone will say I have integrity to find the owner and return the wallet to the rightful owner, but when you are broke and in need and you find the same wallet your true character will personify itself in the actions you consciously decide to carry out. Character is who you are when no one is looking Psalm 90:8 says: “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance”. Your character determines who you are brings lasting success with people.

Character Is A Choice. Joshua 24:15 says: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This is the God given right of everyone the ability to make a choice it is free will.

Jesus was the ultimate example of character our desire should be to be like Christ, which is the meaning of the word Christian. When you chose the right choice in a situation we grow more into the image of Christ. The Bible says “Let this mind that is in Christ Jesus be also in you.” Jesus portrayed the characteristic of wisdom.

WHAT IS WISDOM?

Knowledge– is facts, data

Understanding – is the ability to interrelate knowledge and give it meaning. It helps you make sense of the facts that knowledge gives you.

Wisdom – is the action that results from or the ability to respond to knowledge and understanding. Wisdom puts truth into action

We will look at the characteristic of Wisdom. Understand that wisdom is not just some theoretical book knowledge that has nothing to do with everyday life. Wisdom in not impractical knowledge that is used only in some fantasy world but is realistic understanding of how to live. There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is an accumulation of facts. We go to school to gain knowledge, study the Word of God to gain knowledge of who He is. Wisdom is the practical understanding of how we use that knowledge to live. Knowledge is what we learned. Wisdom is the ability to apply that which we have learned. Wisdom has an element of knowledge. Knowledge, on the other hand, does not have an element of wisdom. The Army has a slogan that says “You won’t read it in a book, you’ll live it.” Wisdom is living it.