Growing in Character

Just about every athlete, coach, and parent understands that success in the athletic arena isn't just about physical performance. Mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health must all be addressed in some way for individuals and teams to thrive. But what about character? Is character growth relevant to the development of an athlete?

As we continue to look at Matthew 6 and 7, we see that Jesus is instructing His hearers in the area of character. Last week, we talked about what He meant when He said we shouldn't judge others. Let's move on to Matthew 7:7-12:

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

So let's work backwards here, starting with v. 12, commonly called “the Golden Rule.” What do you want others to do for you….

• When you are happy?
• When you are sad?
• When you're succeeding?
• When you're struggling?
• In general?

Jesus is telling us that when we interact with “others” (I'm pretty sure He means anyone and everyone!) no matter who they are, what they are going through, or what we are going through, IN EVERYTHING, do to them what you would have them do to you.

The question is, HOW do we do that? Well, let's look back at verses 7-11 (the “so” in v. 12 is a clue that these ideas are connected.) Here, Jesus gives His hearers two things: instructions and perspective.

1. Instruction: what does He say to DO?
2. And WHY does He say that would make sense?

Discussion

1. When you are in need, what is your first response? Who is the first one you go to? What's the first thing you do? What does your answer say about what you're trusting in?
2. How does this passage compare to Matthew 6:25-34, which we looked at a few weeks ago? Look it up if you need to.
3. What are some ways we can treat others well? Look at James 5:16, Luke 6:28, Hebrews 10:24-25, and James 2:15-19

Consider these quotes about character this week:

• Train your mind with the idea that God is there. If once the mind is trained on that line, when you are in difficulties it is easy as breathing to remember, “Why, my Father knows all about it!” It is not an effort, it comes naturally….(Oswald Chambers)
• Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. (Abraham Lincoln)
• Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people. (Dennis Prager)

Lord, help us to know that You are with us and that You can be trusted to meet our needs. Trusting You frees us up to treat others the way we want to be treated rather than staying preoccupied with ourselves. We want to trust You. We want to bless others. Help us to do so, in Jesus’ name. Amen.