If you create an act, you create a habit.  If you create a habit, you create a character.  If you create a character, you create a destiny.

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.

What begins in the heart must carefully be cultivated to become full fruit in action.  God deals with a person to develop their character so they may be vessels of honor for His use and be effective in their ministries.  Gifts are freely given; character development comes only with time, or at great personal effort.  Everybody must be a responsible partner with God in this life-long process.

Character is defined as the seat of one's moral being, the inner life of man, and it displays in the action of=2 0an individual under pressure.  Character is the distinctive mark impressed, or otherwise formed, by an outside or internal force upon an individual.  Your character is defined by what you do and not what you say.  Every choice you make, helps define what kind of person you are chosing to be.  Good character requires doing the right thing even if it's costly or risky.  Remember, you attract what you are.  Take a moment and look at the people in your inner circle of friends.  Are they a delight to you, or do you try to avoid their presence?  Is there some things about them that you really don't like?  Take a moment to look at yourself.  Maybe you have a friend dealing with insecurities.  Could you be dealing with some insecurities as well or a lack of confidence?  Watch whom you associate with.  Whatever you have around you, gets on you.  Once it's on you, it has the capability of getting in you.  Once that thing is in you, a change comes about.  A person with true character does not just tell a person what to do, but they live as an example worthy of following.  Are you a worthy example to others?

If you create an act, you create=2 0a habit.  If you create a habit, you create a character.  If you create a character, you create a destiny.

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.

In continuing to discuss character, I must take a moment to explain what character is not.  It is not just what a person will be in the future.  Character is what a person is at this present time.  Think about what you are right now, that is your character.  Are you a gossiper, liar, trickster, or are you a delight, lovable, full of compassion?  These are all parts that add up to one's character.  Character is not just how a person act around you.  It is also displayed in one's actions.  Character does not appear without pressure.  In order for one's true self to come out, a certain amount of pressure must be present.  Character is not only what people see on the externeal, but it is what oher people do not see.  An individual cannot hide their weaknesses from the Lord.  Works are not always a sign of a good character.  What is the motives behind those works?

You don't have to take the worst behavior of others as a standard for yourself, but you can choose to be better than that.  If a person comes to work angry, you don't have to be angry as well, that's your choice.  Just be you and whom God called you to be.  The pay off for having a good character is that it makes you a better person.  When you become a better person,everything around you gets better.  You relationships are better, our churches are better and our families are better.  You make that choice.  Today, choose to be a better person.  Monitor your character and make sure it is in line with God's Word.