Character is one of the highest forms of existence and is worth more than all the grand pleasures of this world. No achievement in this world is worth more than a sharpened character. Good looks, money, fame, lust, all die out but character holds true forever.
Does your character honor or shame you?
Discipline, Integrity, Honesty, and Honor are ingredients of a sharp character.
Obtaining all the world has to offer is substantial but having a good character is priceless.
Character can be formed through tough trials and periods of correction but anyone at anytime can choose to have a sharp character by living out what is good and right.
Discipline
Discipline is the act of obeying the rules and code of which you or another has formed. But discipline is so much more than following rules. Discipline strengthens us to follow through with our commitments. Refining us to do the hard work of staying committed and in result giving us personal satisfaction, and the ability to achieve great things.
Without discipline in life you are lost and nothing you do will ever be successful. Having discipline gives us the power to be able to enforce the rules of a good character in our lives; it is what joins everything together.
“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” (Proverbs 12:1)
Integrity
Integrity consists of strong moral principles. It is the act of living upright and abiding by what is good.
Integrity discerns what is right from wrong. This is what we call the “moral compass”. Guided by integrity we live free of guilt and shame.
“People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.” (Proverbs 10:9)
Honesty
Honesty is the quality of being truthful. Be careful what you speak or think and be sure that you are living honestly.
When someone lives in truth blessings await them; when someone lives in lies destruction is planned for them.
“An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.” (Proverbs 24:26)
Honor
Honor is a manner of respect and admiration. To be honorable is to live in a way that is respectable and esteemed by others.
Take delight in honoring others by edifying them. This is the correct way to live.
“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21)
You have to live by principles to have a meaningful life. Without principles there is chaos, but order is the keeper of purpose and success.
Listen to what your heart says is right and wrong. If you pay attention to that feeling and obey it, you will not be caught in the snares of those who do not listen. They are the ones who trap themselves in their own wrongdoing.
Living out a good character is the easiest thing to do yet one of the hardest things to sustain. The world will tempt you constantly to make the wrong move and go against what you know to be right, but are you strong enough to stay the course and reap the rewards for those who are faithful?
Peace be unto you,
Donald
Guest Author | Donald Pay
Originally published at https://medium.com/@DonaldPay
