SOME TIME AGO, THERE WAS A WEDDING during which the Bride and her new Mother-in-law had an altercation. Sadly, it was about something so simple: FOOD.
The Bride had some of the festive food set aside for her parents during the reception party. However, because more guests had arrived, the Mother-in-law approached her and requested to have some of the food that she had set aside. The Bride however turned down her request. The Mother-in-law went on and took of the food by force. The Bride seized it. The Mother-in-law then gave her a slap on the cheek and the Bride gave her one in return. All these happened as guests watched! This was on Saturday. The next Monday, the Groom headed to the Court and divorced his brand-new wife. Definitely, they had no honeymoon!
Hundreds of marriages have started but collapsed very soon after or after a few short years because of character deficiency on the part of one or both Spouses.
No one comes into marriage knowing it all. We learn most of the things we’ll know about Marriage while “on the job”. The most important thing is the humility, willingness and openness to learn.
This morning, we’re looking at one of the things that will transform you into a sweeter partner that your spouse will endlessly cherish and vice versa. That quality is GOOD CHARACTER.
What is CHARACTER? Character can be defined as a combination of the features, traits and qualities that make up the personality of an individual. It means then that GOOD CHARACTER is a combination of good features traits and characteristics that form the personality of a person.
The Bible shows us several persons who had good character. They include Joseph the Dreamer, Moses, Abigail, the Shunamite woman, Rebecca and so many others.
Let’s take a close look at Moses, for instance. When he arrived the land of Midian a fugitive exile with no idea of where he’d lay his head and where his next meal would come from, he still had thoughts for the welfare of others. Remember, it was this same care for others and hatred of injustice that got him into trouble in Egypt.
Well, when he saw the mistreatment of the Shepherd Girls by the
Shepherds, he stood up to help them. He carried out the task of the seven girls singlehandedly and with no thoughts about rewards. That’s character! Please, read:
“Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
17 And the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that ye have come so soon today?”
19 And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us and watered the flock.”
20 And he said unto his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that ye have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” (Exodus 2:16-20)
Good character makes you an instrument of God’s love to others and God ensures that you’re blessed soon or long after. For Moses, the reward for his good character came very fast. The Priest of Midian sent for him, gave him accomodation, a job and A WIFE!
However, the truth is: not everyone comes into marriage with a good character. The good news is: anyone who has character deficiencies could be profoundly transformed in marriage just as the Church is transformed as she’s sanctified, cleansed and washed by the Word so that all the spots, wrinkles and blemishes from her former life of sin in the world are removed (Ephesians 5: 26-27).
Therefore, character deficiency needn’t make Spouses give up on each other. Your presently rude, uncouth, proud, haughty, pompous and heady Spouse could be transformed into a glorious man or woman of amazing character as you play your part of patiently and deeply loving them and praying for them.
(1) THE COMPONENTS OF GOOD CHARACTER
The components of good character include: RESPECT, HONESTY, TRUTHFULNESS, A HIGH SENSE OF MORALITY, INTEGRITY, KINDNESS, COMPASSION, HUMILITY, PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE, EMPATHY, THE FEAR OF GOD, REVERENCE FOR THE ELDERLY, DUTIFULNESS, FAITHFULNESS AND OTHER POSITIVE TRAITS.
If looking at the list of the components of good character above you find that most of them are missing in your life or that of your mate, don’t be discouraged. Life is a school and the universe is God’s university. Just be humble and have a teachable heart that’s open to corrections, new instructions and you’ll be gradually transformed.
(2) THE AGENTS OF CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION
(A) GOD’S WORD
The greatest agent of character transformation is God’s Word.
“THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT; IT GIVETH UNDERSTANDING UNTO THE SIMPLE.”(Psalm 119:130)
Darkness is synonymous with all negative things including bad character. But when we open our lives to the Word of God, it brings mighty divine illumination that dispels the darkness of bad character and shameful behaviour.
God’s Word is the means by which Christ sanctifies and cleanses the Church, transforming it. God’s Word also has the power to the remove all the character blemishes of any ill behaved Spouse.
Some of the character flaws are as a result of sinful bondages. But when the knowledge of the Truth of God’s Word floods the life of the Spouse concerned, the chains of the enemy, Satan, are broken and the captive spouse set free! (John 8:31-32)
God’s Word grows the mind and the heart and imparts supernatural maturity and wisdom. This was evident in the life of Christ as He discussed with ancient men and Doctors of the Law in the temple at the age of twelve. (Luke 2:46-47).
Knowledge of the of Word of God fills the heart with counsel, understanding and the ability to see things from the divine perspective.
David greatly experienced the transforming power of God’s Word. As we can see in the following verses of scripture, they made him more sagacious than the old men; more intelligent than his teachers and by far more shrewd, more astute and ever ahead of his enemies:
“98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” (Psalm 119: 98-100)
Whatever the weaknesses of character in yours or your Mate’s life, they will all become things of the past as you humbly open your heart to the Word of God and wholeheartedly obey them.
Tomorrow, we shall be looking at other powerful Agents of character transformation that you’ll also need to know and embrace. As you engage them in your life, you’ll become a transformed Spouse that God can use to help others.
🔥🔥🔥 FAITH DECREE:
🔥LET THE DESIRE TO GROW HIGHER IN CHARACTER BE RELEASED ON EVERYONE READING THIS DEVOTIONAL PIECE!!!⚡
🍷🍗 TAKE-HOME LESSON: GIVE OBEDIENCE TO THIS NEW TEACHINGS ON GOOD CHARACTER.
GOOD CHARACTER MAKES YOU IMMOVEABLE IN MARRIAGE.
NO ONE WOULD EVER WANT TO DISCARD A SPOUSE WITH A GREAT CHARACTER!
💕❤️ TONIGHT’S ONE FLESH ASSIGNMENT IN THE BEDROOM
Reread today’s devotional piece and pray for each other.
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