Character Assessment

Character Assessment 

by David Brenneman 

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete." 2 Corinthians 13:5-9.

"Character analysis aims to understand a character's deeper drives—their hopes, fears, and the experiences that lead to their transformation or downfall." 

What's on your mind? Are you focusing on the things that are of this world or the things that are important to Jesus?  

"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

Are you honestly consumed with things to be done rather than what the Spirit is trying to get your attention to be doing or to be involved with?

Are you consumed by work? Is your job more important than the other aspects of your life?

Questions such as these point to revelations of your character. Are you displaying the character of Christ or of you?

This character assessment is something we're encouraged to do. Paul encouraged people to make sure of their salvation. Why? Because a true change of character into the character of Christ can absolutely only be true if salvation has occurred. 

Jesus is GOING to rebuke millions of people for claiming to have done countless things in His Name...and they will be told to depart from Him for He never knew them.

The fruit of the Spirit...are these evident in your life or are other bad fruits there such as bitter feelings, anger, jealousy, selfishness ambition? 

Are you so busy being busy that there's no time for seeing the truth about you?

Does not the Word of God say to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?

Do we really need to keep up appearances or is what's been done adequate and we need to realize our needs in Christ need to be met?

In all the Gospels...the Disciples were indeed given things to be done...and built into these were times when Jesus said to come away from everyone and rest. 

Take time to evaluate your character. Compare it with the character of Christ. There's always room for improvement. Nobody has arrived. 

Don't be busy for busy's sake. Don't be blind to putting people, places or things above the work of Christ Jesus in your life to make you more like Christ. 

Pray for those things that are important to Jesus even if they are for the moment an irritation to you. 

Pray for those broken relationships because at its crux they are broken due to the influence of sin. 

Pray that the work your hands are put to will truly be whatever God's wanting of you. 

Turn up your prayer life. Turn up your time alone with Jesus.  

Everyone is a Disciple maker...you're either making them in your world of influence a Disciple of Christ or of the things you make important to your world.  

Examine your heart and ask the Spirit to show you the truth about your character and ask for His help in correcting your character flaws. 

That's the way to begin 2025.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.