HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
This is an excellent list of godly character qualities to use as you prayerfully shepherd the hearts of your children to Christlikeness. Remember, however, our goal as Christian parents are not moralism or behaviourism. These character qualities are a reflection of the new man, a regenerate heart. So as you see a deficiency in your children we must point them to Christ for forgiveness and growth in grace. We want our children to realize that external character, obedience or “polish” without a new heart is nothing but a works righteousness and legalism.
Character Qualities
- Alertness vs. Unawareness
Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.) - Attentiveness vs. Unconcern
Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.) - Availability vs. Self-centeredness
Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20–21 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.) - Boldness vs. Fearfulness
Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,) - Cautiousness vs. Rashness
Knowing how important the right timing is in accomplishing the right actions (Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.) - Compassion vs. Indifference
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others (1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?) - Contentment vs. Covetousness
Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness (1Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.) - Creativity vs. Underachievement
Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) - Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness
The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.) - Deference vs. Rudeness
Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.) - Dependability vs. Inconsistency
Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice (Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.) - Determination vs. Faintheartedness
Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition (2 Timothy 4:7–8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.) - Diligence vs. Slothfulness
Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it (Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;) - Discernment vs. Judgment
The God-given ability to understand why things happen (1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.) - Discretion vs. Simplemindedness
The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences (Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.) - Endurance vs. Giving up
The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best (Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.) - Enthusiasm vs. Apathy
Expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:16,19 Rejoice evermore.19 Quench not the Spirit.) - Faith vs. Presumption
Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.) - Flexibility vs. Resistance
Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others (Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.) - Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.) - Generosity vs. Stinginess
Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes (2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.) - Gentleness vs. Harshness
Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (1Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:) - Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness
Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life (1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?) - Hospitality vs. Loneliness
Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into my life (Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.) - Humility vs. Pride
Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.) - Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness
Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it (Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.) - Joyfulness vs. Self-pity
The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.) - Justice vs. Fairness
Personal responsibility to God’s unchanging laws (Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?) - Love vs. Selfishness
Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.) - Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve (John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.) - Meekness vs. Anger
Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.) - Obedience vs. Willfulness
Freedom to be creative under the protection of divinely appointed authority (2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;) - Orderliness vs. Disorganization
Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.) - Patience vs. Restlessness
Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3–4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:) - Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness
Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks (2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,) - Punctuality vs. Tardiness
Showing high esteem for other people and their time (Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:) - Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness
The wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.) - Responsibility vs. Unreliability
Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me (Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.) - Reverence vs. Disrespect
Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.) - Security vs. Anxiety
Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.) - Self-Control vs. Self-indulgence
Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:24–25 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.) - Sensitivity vs. Callousness
Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.) - Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy
Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:) - Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected (Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.) - Thriftiness vs. Extravagance
Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary (Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?) - Tolerance vs. Prejudice
Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.) - Truthfulness vs. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.) - Virtue vs. Impurity
The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiates from my life as I obey God’s Word (2 Peter 1:3 According to as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:) - Wisdom vs. Natural Inclinations
Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference (Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.)
