Choosing Your Character

- Pastor Brad Liebe

“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6 (NLT)

Not Today Satan. This is a popular phrase in our Christian vocabulary and indicates an attitude of resisting the devil. This is a great sentiment, but how often does this accurately portray what is happening in our lives?

As Christians, we encounter evil consistently, and Ephesians 6 reminds us that we are not just fighting against flesh and blood but against the evil forces of this dark world. The war around us is real, but how much of what we encounter is due to the enemy, and how much is based on the habits and behaviors established in our lives? When we blame the enemy for our circumstances, it takes it out of our hands. “It’s not my fault I’m in this situation; it’s the enemy.”

If I choose to berate and belittle my children, I can’t be surprised when they don’t want to be a part of my life when they’re older. My behaviors led to their response. Can I ask the Father for help in reconciling the relationship? Absolutely. Is the enemy to blame for this outcome? No, that blame falls on me.

Our character is based on the attitudes and behaviors that we choose in our lives. If we decide that we are going to be honest people but constantly choose to lie, that’s not the fault of the enemy; that falls on us. We can blame Satan, the father of lies, but when we lie, we are not operating as children of life through Christ Jesus but as children of the lie.

We establish behaviors in life that lead us to our destination. We may endeavor to be in other places, but our habits and behaviors will determine our life’s destination.

The good news is that our behavior is our choice. The enemy can tempt you but cannot make you do it. Therefore, it is up to you to change your behaviors. You can establish a new destiny based on your choices with your family, friends, and life.

If it takes 21 days to make a new habit, begin those new behaviors today. Soon enough, it’ll be second nature, and we’ll act more like Jesus, imitating Him and improving the lives of those around us. When you do this, the enemy will come to you and will try to throw you off course with the destructive behaviors you’ve had in the past. When that happens, you can genuinely declare, “Not Today, Satan,” because your behavior falls on you.

Make a Difference:

Where do you want to make a difference today? Make a conscious choice to act in a way that blesses and makes them better. Don’t wait for tomorrow to change your behavior; do it today!

As You Read:

Israel had an opportunity to choose its character through this time of punishment. What circumstances is God using to shape your character?