A
thought by Andy Stanley, (2009-01-21) from his book, Louder Than Words: The Power of Uncompromised Living (Kindle
Locations 446-447). The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Now
to Andy, “Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God,
regardless of personal cost.” In
reality having character is other’s-oriented.
“As we subscribe to God’s absolute standard of right and wrong, we are
directed to focus on the needs of others instead of ourselves.”
Now
to Andy, “Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God,
regardless of personal cost.” In
reality having character is other’s-oriented.
“As we subscribe to God’s absolute standard of right and wrong, we are
directed to focus on the needs of others instead of ourselves.”
Here
are some examples that Andy gives. “It’s
that one-in-a-million friend who never says anything negative about you in your
absence. It’s the guy who quickly owns up to his mistakes instead of blaming
others. It’s the woman who is quick to give credit to the person who originated
an idea rather than taking credit herself. It’s the husband who has only
positive things to say about his wife in public. It’s the wife who allows her
husband to lead when everyone knows she is more gifted in that area than her
spouse.” I would like to be around that
type of person.
“Likewise,
the absence of character sets off a chain reaction of its own. When people you
know have a reputation for compromising their integrity to avoid personal loss,
they not only forfeit your respect, but they destroy your confidence in them as
well. There is always an inner hesitancy associated with the relationship. A
sense of unpredictability looms about these people. You know that if they are
willing to lie to a stranger, a customer, a client, another business associate,
then they are willing to lie to you as well. If they will cheat in one arena of
life, there is a good possibility that everything and everybody is up for
grabs. So you approach the relationship with caution. You put up walls. Every
encounter is guarded. You never know when you might be their next victim.”
I want
to be a person of character. Now in some areas it will cost me. But I see it as the only sensible way to
live.
So is
being a person of character important to you?
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