Me First

Living Aligned With God’s Design
Me First
Matthew 7:3-5

When we encounter problems or challenges in our lives or our relationships the tendency it to describe the problem in terms of someone else’s Behavior.

If you want a different Result in life start by becoming a different Person.

When you focus on changing yourself, the world around you usually changes as well.

If I want the world to change, I have to begin with me.

Character is who we are as a person; it includes but is not limited to honesty and ethics.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1–3, ESV)

Much of life’s fruit, or results, come from good character, and character comes from spiritual growth in the ways that God has ordained. Focus on character growth first, not just results.

Growing My Character

1. Admit that I need to grow in order for life to work better
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18, ESV)  

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

2. I need Wisdom and Input in order to grow my character
“Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:10–13, ESV)

“Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.” (Proverbs 19:8, ESV)

3. I need Experience to grow my character
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Romans 5:3–4, ESV)  

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29, ESV)

4. I need God and His Word to grow my character
“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4–5, ESV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

“Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:129–130, ESV)

5. I need Other People to grow my character
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV)

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15–16, ESV)

If you want a different result in life, start by becoming a different person!

Making It Personal

• Have I genuinely aligned my life with God’s design through repenting of my sin and placing my faith in Christ alone as the forgiver of my sin and the leader and Lord of my life?
• What area or areas of my character do I sense that God may be calling me to grow in and develop? Things to “put off” or things to “put o
• Based on this teaching, what are some practical steps I can take to cooperate with God in these areas of character growth and development
• Who can I share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

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