Character

Continued from last post...

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." ( 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

Jesus knew there was a difference between His reputation and His character. He was aware that people were fickle, while His character was unchanging. He was not concerned about increasing His standing in society or improving others’ perceptions about Him. He lived out His true Divine character.

“Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” (John Wooden)

In past centuries, those who were born into noble families were held in higher esteem than those who were born into peasant families. Fortunately, society is slowly realizing that true nobility is not something one is born into; it is something one grows into.

We can always find others who bend more to societal expectations than we do. This lulls us into thinking that we are less hypocritical than others. As long as we continue to pander to public opinion, we participate in perpetuating the delusion.

Even though we are born into a culture that values reputation over character, we were made for a higher purpose. The Lord does not look at outward appearances, but He scans our motives. We can surrender to the One who created us and therefore knows best how to build our characters into what He intended. Then we shall be able to cultivate nobility, build character, stay true to ourselves, and become who we were created to be.

Lord, build up our character. May we be influenced by Your Spirit, not by public opinion.