Bible Verses on Christian Character

When we're talking about who we are as Christian, our character matters. People look to us to be an example of Christianity, and when we misbehave, we only substantiate a belief that all Christians are hypocritical. We need to allow Christ to build up our character and as we look at the Bible we can see that character matters:

Good Character Matters

God wants us to be the best people we can be. We need to be more like Him in our actions and words. He asks us to walk in His footsteps and follow his example of good character. If we are truly living a life of faith, we will also strive to build good Christian character:

• Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
• Acts 26:20 - I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. (NLT)
• Hebrews 4:12 - What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. (CEV)
• Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
• Acts 20:35 - And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. (NLT)
• Luke 6:31 - Do to others as you would have them do to you. (NIV)
• Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
• 2 Peter 1:5-7 - For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (ESV)
• Romans 13:14 - Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won’t try to satisfy your selfish desires. (CEV)

God Builds Character

There are many ways that God builds good character in us. There are also situations in which God works to build up our character, too. Sometimes those situations are easy, and we succeed. Sometimes we build character in the darkest of hours.

• Romans 5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (NIV)
• Philippians 2:12-16 - My dear friends, you always obeyed when I was with you. Now that I am away, you should obey even more. So work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved. God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him. Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless. (CEV)
• 1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (NLT)
• 2 Timothy 3:16 -All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (NIV)
• James 1:2 - My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. (CEV)