Bible Study Notes 'Character Matters' 1.12.11

Wednesday 1/12/11
Pastor A.L. Harris
“Character Matters”

Great Criticism and suspicion looms in the aftermath of scandals, divorces and misconduct in the secular and sacred. The majority can be traced back to character issues.

Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”
But character will keep him there. (Pastor AL Harris version)

Power and talent without character is a fall waiting to happen.

What is character?
The English word Character comes from a Latin root that means “engraved.” Character is comprised of virtues and values engraved in the heart of a person. It is the qualities and traits of a person; what we call moral and ethical standards.

Question: Can you be a believer with bad character traits?
Yes. Acts 5:1-6; James 1:19-21.
Sanctification is a process and does not happen overnight.

Good Character Traits:
• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Long-suffering

• Gentleness

• Goodness

• Faith

• Meekness

• Temperance

• Courage

• Loyalty

• Honesty


All Believers can cultivate good character traits by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent of change in the life of the believer. Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit and not by self effort.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

St. John 14:26 – But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you.

Galatians 5:16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Good character traits are developed by doing three essential things:

1. Submitting to the Holy Spirit’s authority in your life.
St. John 15:1-5; Galatians 5:22-23


2. Obeying the word of God.
Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:22


3. Submitting to Spiritual authority.
Hebrews 13:7,17; Ephesians 4:11-13