07/31/2024
This morning we contemplate the role of character and conduct as it applies to our faith and walk with God. So, as we study the Word of God, pray, and worship, our faith, which lives within us, is being increased and our character altered. Faith in God changes us and leads us towards eternal life...
“Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."”
John 4:13-14 ESV
In my devotional reading this morning E.M. Bounds defined the meaning of conduct and character in this way:
"Conduct is what we do. Character is what we are. Conduct is the outward life. Character is the unseen life, hidden within, yet is evidenced by what is seen." – E. M. Bounds
We experience such changes as joy, peace, love, and obedience, among others, and as these characteristics flow from our faith and answered prayer, our conduct changes as well. Just as surely as you smile when you are happy or cry when you are sad, your outward manifestation of faith is also apparent as your conduct changes.
I have heard many stories of conversion. Something wonderful happens when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior... they immediately begin to change. I have heard stories of long time smokers suddenly laying down their cigarettes and never smoking again, alcoholics never taking another drink, thieves leaving that life of robbery behind, and those of vulgar language changing how they speak... The list goes on. Although this change we experience at conversion can be dramatic, it doesn't stop there and continues on for the remainder of our lives. Each time we pray, each time we face a hardship and call upon the Lord, each time we study the Word, we are changing.
But when the evil one sees this change in us; when he sees the evidence of it in the way we conduct ourselves, and the result that faith is having on our character, he sets out to counter those changes before they can take permanent hold in our lives. Scripture warns us of his presence and of his intention to destroy our faith in God… listen.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Pastor Bounds speaks to how we can counter the attack of evil and secure the changes of character that our faith brings to us. His solution is a simple one… pray!
"Prayer helps to establish character and to shape conduct. And both depend on prayer for their successful continuance." – E. M. Bounds
Temptation is the tool of the devil, it calls those who have quit smoking, or put down strong drink, to pick them up again, it enters into a person whose past foul language suddenly erupts in a moment of anger and causes them to doubt their ability to overcome it, and through hunger it tempts a convert to consider thievery again. Although temptation is the tool of darkness it can be overcome by time spent in prayer.
Our outward conduct shows those around us what only we, and God, can see happening within us. It is the smoke of a hidden fire, and the aroma of a meal being prepared within a house. We can't see the fire or the meal, but we know they exist because of their byproducts. Righteous conduct is the same; it is the evidence of character.
This morning I pray that your character is changed and strengthened by your time of prayer and biblical study. I pray that when the evil one comes against those changes of faith that you will lean on prayer and God to fend him off, and that you are never being made to doubt, or tempted to lay down those blessings which God has placed within you.
You are a child of God, and a joint heir with Jesus... Seek your Father and His abundant strength when weakness attempts to overcome the new person you have become. In prayer we speak with the Lord, and through prayer He lifts us up. Amen
Prayer:
Father, thank you for transforming us in Christ, and securing that transformation through time spent in your Word, and on our knees praying. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who gives us understanding, and causes us to remember the lessons of Jesus as our characters are transformed and we become firm in our righteousness. Help us Lord to repel the attacks of the dark one, and to hold tight to those things that you are instilling in us. Help us to follow Jesus, and to always walk with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, and who changes the old worldly persons we once were into more perfect images of you. Hear our prayers Father as we engage in spiritual battle against the forces of temptation and evil. Give us strength to stay the course you are directing us to follow. Wash us clean with the blood of Jesus, and never let us stumble as we pick up His cross and follow Him. In this way let who we are become more like who you are, and on the day of our judgement we pray that you deem us worthy of spending eternity with you.
Amen
Rich Forbes