October 11
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in you godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9)
We are working toward a concrete action plan that will help us address addictions to immoral behavior. Next on our list of things to think through and write down are character qualities. What character qualities do you want to be true of you? Please take a few minutes and brainstorm the things that you want to be true of your character, things you want to be so much a part of you that others think of you when they think of these qualities. As you make this list, be sure to include those qualities that are the antithesis of a man or woman consumed by lust and immoral thoughts. What would the opposite qualities be?
Here are some examples:
- Patient, kind, gentle
- Reverent, worshipful, God-minded
- Joyful
- Full of faith and dependence on God, trusting God no matter what
- Prayer warrior
- Thoughtful, slow to respond, careful in speech
- Pure in thought, word, and deed
- Disciplined, in control of thoughts and use of time
- Self-control
- Wise, discerning, insightful
- Holy, a Temple of the Holy Spirit
- Humble, self-effacing, not seeking to be seen
- Servant of others, always putting others’ interests before my own
- Faithful, dependable, trustworthy
- Determined and undaunted
- Loving, gracious, tenderhearted; others know that I love them dearly
- Full of peace, no anxiety or unrest in heart or mind
- Forgiving, never holding anything against anyone
- Hard worker for the Kingdom of God, fruitful, engaging others for Christ
- Abiding in Christ continually
- A Friend of God, a Servant of God
- Led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, obedient to the Spirit
- A New Creation, hidden in Christ in God
- Buffeting my body and making it my slave
- Victorious over all sin at all times; dead to sin and alive to God
Please make a list of character qualities that you want to be true of you. My recommendation is that you type out these qualities and review them daily, affirming each one out loud. Saying something to the effect, “In Christ, I am _______” and state the quality you want to be true of you. You will be amazed how these verbal affirmations will help reinforce these traits in you and help you to become this kind of person.