Christian Character

I.  What are the distinguishing marks of a Christian?

            A. How can we tell when someone is a Christian and when someone is not?

            B. More importantly, how can we tell if we are aligned to the Word of God?

 

Christ Gave Us Our Answer:

 

Matthew 7:16-20

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

 

II. The fruit we bear is our “Christian Character”.

            A. Christ taught throughout His ministry, the outward manifestation’s of a persons          life gives           a representation of the inner condition.

            B. Even though a person tries to pretend to be something they aren’t, the true person on the       inside will manifest itself.

            C. Our speech and actions will normally bear record of our relationship with God.

            D. A grape vine cannot bear figs or thistles. A plant of one kind of fruit cannot bear another       kind of fruit.

            E. The same stands true for a Christian.  A Christian cannot manifest the works of the flesh        and remain a Christian.

            F. That is why it is important to manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

 

III. We must strive to do things, say things, and conduct ourselves in such a manner as to           promote the growth of good fruit...the fruit of the Spirit.

A.     Here are some tests to help us in our endeavors to cultivate good fruit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes	No	Test	Question
		Personal Test	Will doing it make me a worse Christian?
		Social Test	Will doing it influence others to be worse Christians?
		Practical Test	Will doing it likely bring undesirable results?
		Missionary Test	Will doing it hinder my personal testimony for Christ?
		Virtue Test	Will doing it make me weaker morally?
		Universal Test	Would it be harmful if everyone did it?
		Stewardship Test	Will doing it involve a waste of my God-given talent?
		Publicity Test	Would I be unwilling for my friends to know about it?
		Family Test	Will doing it bring dishonor to my family?

 

B. If at any time you answer yes to a questionable action, word or attitude, your          Christian Character comes into question.

 

 

Our character is one of our strongest qualities.  Guard your character.  Strengthen your character.

 

Colossians 3:2-15

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bow