Valentinus was a very common name in the days of the Roman Empire. The root of that name comes from valens, meaning “strong, powerful.” Another word with the same root is valor. The name was so common that there are actually ...
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Categories
Topics
Character Qualities
Commands of Christ
Basic Life Principles
Attributes of God
Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything I need for my present and future happiness. When we expect from possessions or people what only God can give, we turn them into idols and become guilty of idolatry.
Justice is carrying out wise judgments based on the laws and character of God. Most people demand fairness. However, absolute fairness requires that all get the same things at the same time. This is impossible; thus, we must look to God, Who is completely just.
Tolerance is looking beyond the wrong ideas and behavior of people and seeing the needs and struggles in their lives. One who is tolerant is more concerned about showing love to people than convincing them of the error of their ways.
Determination presupposes careful consideration of the cost and requirements of a task and a decision that the task is worth whatever expenses are necessary to achieve it.
Sincere reverence for people grows out of a proper fear of the Lord, since He is the One Who created all men and established structures of authority.
It is vital to develop attentiveness, because many other character qualities are dependent on it. Without attentiveness, we will not even hear the commands of Scripture or the instructions of parents or authorities.
Boldness is the fearless and daring courage to carry out the work God calls us to do. When God commanded Joshua to “be of good courage,” he was being told to have boldness—boldness to face death in battle, to speak truth to his own heart and to the nation, and to do great exploits for God.
Wisdom is seeing the hand of God in every experience of life. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
Compassion is a practical expression of genuine love, and all believers are commanded to have love toward each other and toward others. The larger our hearts, the more compassion we will have.
Alertness is exercising my physical and spiritual senses to recognize the dangers that could diminish the resources entrusted to me. Alertness is motivated by the realization that many actions have predictable results and that the laws of the harvest apply to all levels of life.
Decisiveness is choosing to do what is right based on accurate facts, wise counsel, and clearly defined goals. Wise decision making must be based on God’s will, not on our own carnal desires, because “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12)
The Biblical word for sensitive is tenderhearted. Scripture instructs us: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Resourcefulness is increasing assets by seeing value in what others overlook or discard. Believers are instructed to establish personal habits of resourcefulness in order to distribute to the necessity of saints.
Discretion is the ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes that could result in undesirable consequences. Just as discreet behavior avoids damaging situations, so a prudent person understands cause-and-effect sequences and acts accordingly.
Discernment is the ability to distinguish between good and evil, in order to make wise decisions. When God told Solomon to ask for anything he wanted, Solomon asked for discernment.
When our chief concerns are to glorify God in all that we do and to “do good unto all men,” especially those of the household of faith (see Galatians 6:10), we will be in a good position to establish proper initiatives.
Thriftiness is using as few resources as possible for my own needs so that I will have greater resources for generosity to God and to others.
The literal meaning of sincere could be rendered “to have our lives and actions found pure when judged by sunlight.” Jesus explained, “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20).
Creativity is cultivating wise thoughts, prudent words, and skillful actions to carry out God’s will. Creativity is used for making not only things but also plans.
Deference requires more than choosing to do things that are good. Deference requires that we choose things that are excellent, that we in no way hinder our own walk with Christ or the walks of others.