Fix Your Character #preaching

The NJ Podcast

Fix Your Character

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Before we begin our sermon today, let me share a funny story with you.

There once was a man who was known for his quick temper. He would often fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. One day, his friend asked him, "Why do you have such a short fuse?" The man replied, "Well, it runs in my family. My father had a short temper, and so did his father before him." His friend responded, "That may be true, but it doesn't mean you can't change. You have the power to fix your character."

We may chuckle at this story, but it brings up an important truth. Our character is not set in stone. We have the ability to shape and mold it through our choices and actions. Today, I want to encourage you to fix your character and strive to become the men and women that God created us to be.

Let us turn to a powerful Bible verse in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV): "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This verse reminds us that our character is rooted in our hearts. It is the wellspring from which our thoughts, attitudes, and actions flow.

We often focus on external appearances and achievements, but God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts. He wants us to have hearts that are pure, humble, and filled with love. It is through the transformation of our hearts that our character is shaped.

In the Bible, we find stories of individuals who underwent incredible character transformations through their encounters with God. One such example is the apostle Paul. Before his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, persecuted Christians and was known for his violence and hatred. But when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life was completely transformed. He went from being a persecutor to becoming one of the greatest champions of the faith.

Paul's transformation teaches us that no matter how deeply entrenched our flaws and weaknesses may be, God has the power to change us from the inside out. We must be willing to surrender our hearts to Him, allowing Him to shape and mold us into the image of Christ.

Fixing our character requires self-reflection and a willingness to confront our flaws and shortcomings. It means being honest with ourselves and acknowledging areas where we need to grow. It also means seeking God's guidance and relying on His strength to make the necessary changes.

We must also surround ourselves with a community of believers who can support and hold us accountable on our journey of character development. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." When we have godly relationships, we can encourage and challenge one another to become the best versions of ourselves.

Lastly, we must remember that fixing our character is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It requires daily surrender to God and a commitment to walk in obedience to His Word. As we do so, we will experience the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Brothers and sisters, let us fix our character. Let us guard our hearts and allow God to transform us from the inside out. May we become men and women of integrity, reflecting the character of Christ to the world around us. As we do, we will bring glory to God and impact lives for His kingdom.

In Jesus' name, amen.