CONNECTING POINT: The Character Test

We all have good days and bad days, but our character is constantly tested through every experience. I would say the test is much more difficult in the latter. Life is good when you’re on “Cloud 9.”

Jesus makes this point in his teachings about loving one’s enemy and the danger of being hypercritical of others. We must be cautious about lambasting others, sometimes the plank is in our own eye. There is a place for correct judgment while incorrect or harsh judgment is off the table. Within the context of the church Paul states that judgment is needed (1 Corinthians 5:1-12) as a restorative method.

In Luke 6:43-49, Jesus reaffirms that one’s character is tested by how we deal with our “enemies.” “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well-built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

One of the greatest avenues through which our character is tested is through our relationships, even far greater than our relationship with Jesus. We live and interact with others on a very personal level. Sometimes as Christians, we emphasize the importance of having a “personal relationship with Jesus.” I understand the concept, but a relationship with Jesus is very subjective on our part. If Jesus says we should forgive our enemy, should we also forgive those closer to us? Certainly! However, this is the ground where spiritual and relational maturity is cultivated.

Here are some text points to ponder:

One, the heart is where transformation takes place. Our heart, consciousness, or spirit is the wellspring from which our words and actions stem, not simply the mouth. Verse 45, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Just as a tree is identified by its fruit, the character of a person is identified by our heart, revealed by words and actions.

Two, the heart is well-trained and utilizes self-examination. When my heart is wounded or hurt, I’m vulnerable to attacking others, my character is tested. As we mature in Christ, we acknowledge our sinfulness versus blame shifting. Regarding “planks and splinters” tied to judgment, we always start where? Ourselves. Generally, we perceive that the other party has the plank in their eye. Personal perceptions can be off due to offense or hurt. Jesus intends that we practice caution in our assumptions and perceptions.

So, how do we know if we are bearing good fruit? By our responses to others, foes, or friends. Embrace character tests; they determine how well our house will stand.