Crisis Reveals Character

Crisis reveals character, this is the reason the Lord sends us trials so that we can see what is really on the inside of us. When we see a flaw as we react badly to a challenge it is the time to confess the sin or weakness to obtain strength from Christ to change.

Those who refuse to admit their emergent nasty reactions will not grow until they do. In fact, the longer a person resists admitting flaws the more hardened their heart becomes.

Often people will claim good things about themselves or even believe good things about themself but the reactions that emerge during a crisis will prove what their true character is really like.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

If someone blows up in anger as the first response to a challenge it is evidence that they have had anger festering inside all the time. Someone who does not have an angry character does not blow up no matter what is happening to them.

Think about it!

Confession is the Key to Spiritual Growth

To grow in holiness we must be aware all the time of our own failings and confess them to be cleansed by Christ. Without confession of sins and flaws, there is no Spiritual growth.

1 John 1:9

"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 Peter 2:1-8 "Therefore, rid yourselves of all ]malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and ]envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord."

As Living Stones

"4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For this is contained in Scripture:"

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,

And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

7"This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,"

“A stone which the builders rejected,

This became the chief cornerstone,”

8 and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

"for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this, they were also appointed."

Sealed with the Holy Spirit as the Guarantee of Our Inheritance

When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation we can never walk away from Christ.

Ephesians 1:13-14

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment (guarantee) of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."

No one who is authentically born again ever walks away from Christ. Those who appear to do so were never born again, they are pretenders in need of salvation for the first time.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one 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 [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"

Pretenders look so much like authentic believers that sometimes we cannot see that they are pretenders except for the fruit of the Spirit which God told us would be evident to us. If they lack it we will know, if they have the fruit we will know that also.

Matthew 7:15-20

You Will Know Them by Their Fruit

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

What is the fruit of the Spirit? The fruit is the character qualities of the Holy Spirit, they are not works but do produce good works.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.

Laws are for the Lawless

1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching…"

Good people who are controlled by Christ do not need laws, the Law Giver lives inside of them. These people have a desire to do what is right. The very nature of the Christian who obeys Christ is bent toward righteousness.

Laws are for those who will only restrain themselves under threat of punishment. The lawless people are bent toward disobedience, they love their own desires and hate righteousness.

John 14:15 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"