Consistently is the Clue

Consistency in attitude and actions shows the character of a person. Whatever we are consistent in is the real us.

If someone is consistently rude but occasionally kind, then the character of that person is an unkind person.

If someone is consistently kind, but rarely rude, if ever then the character of that person is kindness.

Whatever our fall to position is in our responses and reactions to people is, that will be the nature of the person.

Matthew 7:17 "…17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. "

When someone is consistently unkind they can be occasionally kind if it will get them something. Unkind people manipulate to control others but always fall back to their real character when kindness is not getting them what they want.

When someone is consistently kind they will rarely be unkind, realize it immediately and confess to be cleansed of it. Authentically kind people hate hurting others even if only accidentally. They quickly apologize when told they hurt someone. Whereas the unkind person in character will become angry and blame others for their unkind acts.

Luke 6:43-44 "43 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, people do not gather figs from thornbushes, or grapes from brambles.…"

If you find yourself continually having to avoid someone because they turn innocent acts of kindness into faults so they can feel superior, then is the time to exit.

We can not change anyone else, they must want to change. We must want to change if we have flaws in order for any change to occur. God will never change anyone against their will and He will allow them the consequences of their sin to bring repentance to their heart.

It is possible to discern the character of a man even if its not always possible to know if they are born again or not.

Some "Christians" act so badly we won't know if they are a wheat or a tare in the church.

Matthew 13:24-30
Tares among Wheat
24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.
26 But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.
27 The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he *said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.
30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

The tares that are in the church but never became born again before they died will hear what I call the most frightening words in the Bible. They will be expecting to get into heaven but God will turn them away at the gate in spite of their pleas professing how many good deeds they claimed to have done.

Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"

The wisest thing anyone can do in these last days of apostasy is to ask God if they are really born again.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.…"