Character matters, right?
Thursday, December 1, 2011 In general, American's are a very forgiving people and we tend to be pretty pragmatic about ourselves. We know we're capable of great things, and great error, and ultimately, no one is above anyone else. When people honestly and humbly admit their errors and weaknesses we are quick to forgive them.
What we can't stand is hypocrisy. (Unless it's politically, financially or personally advantageous.) Situational ethics has (almost) become the norm.
Humans are human (imagine that). We're very weak creatures but we think we're strong. We don't know much but we think we know more than the other guy. But squeeze us hard enough and we burst like grapes; confront us and eventually we wilt.
Pride is the facade covering the fear that drives and binds many. And, the greater the fear the greater the pride, and decisions are made that seem good for the moment but have devastating consequences later.
God has written His law on the heart of mankind. Men and women instinctively know what is right and what is wrong. Unless a person purposefully, over time, hardens their heart against God's law, and sears their conscience to the point where good is evil and evil is good, they know that character matters.
We used to size people up by observing the pedigree of their parents, or who they hung out with, the books they were reading, the seriousness of their spiritual life, etc., because we knew that these influences were instrumental in building character, whether good or bad.
Based on these influences, certain beliefs are developed; some are true and some are not. Life will test these beliefs to determine their credibility. Beliefs that pass the test of truth systematically build a person's character.
A person's character is built by their ability to discern good and bad influence, allow it to be tested, and what they do with it.
As character is being developed, mistakes will be made; this is called experience. If a person learns from their mistakes this is called wisdom. The accumulation of wisdom eventually makes one wise.
And, a wise man is a discerning man, in every arena of life.
Character matters to a wise man.
Fools could care less.
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A note on George Washington:
"His prudence was consummate, and seemed to take the direction of his powers and passions; for as a soldier, he was more solicitous to avoid mistakes that might be fatal, than to perform exploits that are brilliant; and as a statesman, to adhere to just principles, however old, than to pursue novelties; and therefore, in both characters, his qualities were singularly adapted to the interest, and were tried in the greatest perils, of the country. His habits of inquiry were so far remarkable, that he was never satisfied with investigating, nor desisted from it, so long as he had less than all the light that he could obtain upon a subject, and then he made his decision without bias."
Reader Comments (1)
Well stated my friend. I struggle with a culture that long ago had the laws of God corrupted in their hearts...generations ago. To the point that lying, cheating, avoiding the truth, and there is no such thing as a persons word being of any value. Sometimes I don't even know where to start. I press on because I know He is faithful & has placed me here but the battle in my own mind to perserver is great. Thanks for reminding me that values I live by are worth it.