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Christian Leadership – 10 Godly Character Traits to Overcome Negative Traits

Christian Leadership – 10 Godly Character Traits to Overcome Negative Traits

Godly Character Traits Empower Christian Leaders

Christian Leadership with Godly CharacterChristian leadership should set

the standard for godly character.

Not only that, Christian leaders

should be actively developing

godly character in the lives of others

within their sphere of influence.

It is no surprise that the world today is challenging, and changing, the spiritual values of young and old people alike. Morals are being shaken, and wickedness is growing more and more perverse. The Bible clearly warns that many negative character traits will increase in the last days.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
— 2 Timothy 3:1-5

The following list of negative character traits gives insight into the spirit of our times, and how that spirit is being expressed in our own behavior, thinking, and lifestyle. It gives us some things to reflect on, like a mirror to judge our own behavior with. The list also includes positive, godly character traits used to overcome the negative.

10 Godly Character Traits Overcome Negative Character Traits:

1. Genuine vs Hypocritical

A hypocritical lifestyle is almost the norm as we see people having a form of godliness and going through the religious motions, yet without a genuinely changed life. Hypocrisy is all around us and lies are being spoken to teach false doctrines.

In these perilous times, we should have a healthy fear of the perverse days we are living, and live as genuine believers with renewed minds; trusting God daily. We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2) A genuine relationship and walk with the Lord is required.

2. Love vs Selfishness

Selfishness and a self-centered, willful pursuit of sin is a common behavior as people become lovers of self. (2 Timothy 3:2) Society has a twisted value system and perspective on life. People have become lovers of pleasure more than of God.

God is love and those who do not love, do not know God. (1 John 4:8) We are to love God and love people.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Luke 10:27 NIV

3.  Honor vs Disrespect

Disrespect and disobedience to parents, and authority, is a regular part of the spirit of today; rebellion and lawlessness.

However, God tells us to obey and honor our parents. And He even promises that it will be well with us if we do. (Ephesians 6:2-3) We are to be submissive to authority and honor all people, and when we do what is right we find favor with God. (1 Peter 2:13-20)

4. Generosity vs Covetous

Covetousness is ruling the hearts of many. They want things that belong to others and they have a wrong value system. They find themselves not only fond of money, but in love with money.

On the contrary, God tells us the generous will prosper and that if we sow generously, we’ll reap generously.

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
— Proverbs 11:25 NIV

5. Humility vs Pride

Proud, haughty people, that think they are above others, are filling society. They have an ungodly pride and boast and brag of themselves. But pride comes before the fall.

When we humble ourselves before the Lord, he lifts us up. (James 4:10) Any boasting we do should be in the Lord. (Psalm 34:2)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
— James 4:6

6. Purity vs Perversion

Perversions of all kinds are rampant today. Anything that is good and natural is being perverted. People seem to have lost their natural, God-given, healthy affection and replaced it with all that is twisted, unnatural, unholy, immoral and perverse; only to satisfy their own desires.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” We are also to pursue peace and holiness with everyone, without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

7. Encouragers vs Despisers

Despisers are in full force; belittling and treating shamefully the righteous actions of those who are doing good. They scoff, mock and ridicule them.

Our words and actions should not be discouraging, but encouraging. God teaches us over and over to encourage and strengthen one another. And we are told to do so even more so in these end times. (Hebrews 10:25)

8. Loyalty vs Traitors

Traitors, truce-breakers, and betrayers lack any sense of loyalty to the commitments of friendship. They are untrue to their promises and can’t be trusted to keep their word. They are liars and false accusers.

Loyalty on the other hand is a mark of true friendship. Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Loyalty, truth, and honesty are godly characters that lead to success. Those who can be trusted with a little can be trusted with much. (Luke 16:10)

9. Gratitude vs Entitlement

An entitlement attitude has taken over and in turn people feel they are owed everything. And on top of that, unthankfulness is sadly ruling the hearts and lives of many. These people ungratefully and unthankfully take advantage of others. And the thing is, this combination of entitlement and unthankfulness is a guaranteed formula for failure.

Gratitude is the attitude of success. It is the grateful and thankful people, that keep their hearts turned toward God, they are the ones who rise to the top. As Christians, we have the ultimate reason to be grateful: for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Therefore we should give God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. (Hebrews 12:28)

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Ephesians 5:20 ESV

10. Faith vs Deceit

Deceived and wondering: Are you one that is giving heed to seducing spirits and being led astray from the truth? Take a strong, reflective look at yourself to make sure you haven’t become headstrong in some areas. Is your mind darkened, your thinking reckless, and possibly your pride blinding you? Is your inner conscience seared – is your inner sense of right and wrong fading? Are you losing your sensitivity to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit through continued sin? Are you backsliding and rejecting God’s plan for your life and experiencing a departure from the faith?

Make basic biblical foundational teachings part of your everyday study and meditation. Renew your mind and grow your faith. Keep your trust in God daily and live by faith!

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
— Hebrews 11:6

“The just shall live by faith.”
— Romans 1:17

No doubt about it: Character development comes from discipline and it takes time and dedication; and it needs to be continually cultivated throughout our lives. We must examine ourselves and refuse to let the these negative character traits into our lives. Christian leaders must allow change from the Lord in every area, so that they can minister to others and be a positive example of Christian leadership.

May you be a Christian Leader that abounds with godly character and growing prosperity!

Soar higher in Him,
Brenda

P.S. This article was inspired after reading notes I took from a leadership meeting about character development. We discussed some negative character traits mentioned in Frank Damazio’s book “The Making of a Leader.” (I have not yet read the book, but it was highly recommended.)

 

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Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?

Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?

A Life of Humility that Leads to God’s Richest Blessings!

Godly Humility Leads to Destination GreatnessHumility needs to take root in the heart first…

and then it will begin to grow and expand

into every area of life.

Humility has to be taught to us by God

and is not generally something we easily learn. 

“I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility.” 
— John Ruskin

Power to Change

Humility changes the way we see God and helps us submit our heart to Him. It changes the way we view others and gives us a servant’s perspective. Humility is not denial of self, but it is an embracing of God’s Word within us. It allows us to lay aside our personal wants and needs and adopt His desires and goals for our lives.

“Be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 
— 1 Peter 5:5-6

Humbling ourselves under God’s hand allows Him to raise us up to greatness at the proper time. Keep in mind; greatness from our perspective is different from God’s. God is more interested in our humility than He is of our ‘great’ works.

Do you want to be blessed? Then develop a servant’s heart.

“Whoever, wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” 
— Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:26)

Destination Greatness

When we humble ourselves before God, we gain new strength and insight. God prepares us for greatness and blessing. He will often allow intense pressures and adversity to humble us and refocus our thoughts so that we begin to think the way He thinks. Pain, embarrassment, and criticism are like safety checks to keep us from becoming proud and arrogant.

When facing challenges, we have a choice. We can either be hardened by our circumstances or humbled by them. If we choose to be humbled, we will gain God’s perspective and quickly discover that He is guiding us to victory (spiritually and physically).

Don’t be fooled though; if we choose to have a hard heart, we open the door to bitterness and close-mindedness. And remember, God resists the proud. Pride and rebellion are the opposite of humility and they separate us from God.

God says He hates a proud look and a proud heart is a sin. (Proverbs  6:17, 21:4) Pride is not only dangerous it is destructive and does not fit who we are in Christ. Humility transforms us into the image of Christ and empowers us to stand strong through the storms of life.

Many people view humility as a sign of weakness, but it is not. It is a sign of strength and spiritual maturity.

How Do We Gain Godly Humility?

It starts with a commitment to study God’s Word and a willingness to submit to Him. Then God will begin to show each of us individually the steps we must take in our lives to gain true humility. God develops humility within us through the power of His Spirit.

Humility is not something we practice in church or to impress others. It must reflect our lifestyle and who we are deep inside.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 
— Micah 6:8

In our love for God, we must be careful to walk humbly before Him. When we begin to understand the greatness of God’s love, humility will become our first choice. To bring God glory and honor simply because we love Him is at the heart of true humility.

Needless to say: Living a life of humility may not be easy, but it certainly leads to God’s richest blessings.

May you humble yourself and experience all the abundant goodness God has for you and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Godly Dads Video – D. James Kennedy

Godly Dads Video – D. James Kennedy

Happy Father’s Day!

This video is based on a Father’s Day sermon by D. James Kennedy.

Dads are important and have one of the most important jobs in the world…
and unfortunately it has gone largely unnoticed.

Today we celebrate all fathers and pray that you are all godly dads!

Happy Father’s Day!

God bless you,
Brenda

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