Is Christianity Failing Its Own Moral Standards?

in American in American evangelicalism there is a growing move evangelicalism there is a growing move evangelicalism there is a growing move to decouple character from leadership we to decouple character from leadership we to decouple character from leadership we see it in authoritarian self-seeking see it in authoritarian self-seeking see it in authoritarian self-seeking pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly chasing social media at the expense of chasing social media at the expense of chasing social media at the expense of local Ministry or a leader you know a local Ministry or a leader you know a local Ministry or a leader you know a church leader creating a culture of fear church leader creating a culture of fear church leader creating a culture of fear in their Church rather than a culture of in their Church rather than a culture of in their Church rather than a culture of love and an Embrace of Jesus I mean you love and an Embrace of Jesus I mean you love and an Embrace of Jesus I mean you see it in the headlines you hear it in see it in the headlines you hear it in see it in the headlines you hear it in stories when you talk to people you see stories when you talk to people you see stories when you talk to people you see it every time a pastor designs because it every time a pastor designs because it every time a pastor designs because of moral failure what is that that's a of moral failure what is that that's a of moral failure what is that that's a it's like a character breach right it's like a character breach right it's like a character breach right sometimes and this is the challenge I sometimes and this is the challenge I sometimes and this is the challenge I think some people want to banish people think some people want to banish people think some people want to banish people who have a moral failure to the who have a moral failure to the who have a moral failure to the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Old Testament never to be seen again Old Testament never to be seen again Old Testament never to be seen again never to be heard from again never to never to be heard from again never to never to be heard from again never to serve again and other times you see serve again and other times you see serve again and other times you see these same pastors who have done these same pastors who have done these same pastors who have done something egregious setup shop across something egregious setup shop across something egregious setup shop across the street the next Sunday without ever the street the next Sunday without ever the street the next Sunday without ever owning their actions and they end up owning their actions and they end up owning their actions and they end up attracting followers who ignore attracting followers who ignore attracting followers who ignore character deficiencies because quote character deficiencies because quote character deficiencies because quote he's the Lord's anointed welcome to the he's the Lord's anointed welcome to the he's the Lord's anointed welcome to the car newoff leadership podcast on YouTube car newoff leadership podcast on YouTube car newoff leadership podcast on YouTube hey I'm so glad you joined us today hey I'm so glad you joined us today hey I'm so glad you joined us today we're going to talk about character does we're going to talk about character does we're going to talk about character does it really even matter in leadership if it really even matter in leadership if it really even matter in leadership if you look at the current political you look at the current political you look at the current political climate all the moral failings in the climate all the moral failings in the climate all the moral failings in the church you might be tempted to think ah church you might be tempted to think ah church you might be tempted to think ah we kind of taken a pass on character we kind of taken a pass on character we kind of taken a pass on character development I think that's a mistake and development I think that's a mistake and development I think that's a mistake and we're going to dive into it in the we're going to dive into it in the we're going to dive into it in the conversation if you're new here please conversation if you're new here please conversation if you're new here please subscribe uh you'll never miss an subscribe uh you'll never miss an subscribe uh you'll never miss an episode we do a lot of interviews and episode we do a lot of interviews and episode we do a lot of interviews and then occasionally I jump on and I give

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doing interactive clips and I've tried doing interactive clips and I've tried this out myself pauses during the video this out myself pauses during the video this out myself pauses during the video to ask devotional questions inviting you to ask devotional questions inviting you to ask devotional questions inviting you to reflect on what you've just heard and to reflect on what you've just heard and to reflect on what you've just heard and here's the kicker based on your here's the kicker based on your here's the kicker based on your responses it creates a personalized Next responses it creates a personalized Next responses it creates a personalized Next Step it's different for every single Step it's different for every single Step it's different for every single viewer helping you become who God viewer helping you become who God viewer helping you become who God created and designed you to be do this created and designed you to be do this created and designed you to be do this for a few weeks and suddenly you've got for a few weeks and suddenly you've got for a few weeks and suddenly you've got a customized discipleship Journey a customized discipleship Journey a customized discipleship Journey tailored for every person you've reached tailored for every person you've reached tailored for every person you've reached now imagine your entire church moving now imagine your entire church moving now imagine your entire church moving forward in their faith together each on forward in their faith together each on forward in their faith together each on a unique Journey all starting from a a unique Journey all starting from a a unique Journey all starting from a simple clip the groundbreaking tool is simple clip the groundbreaking tool is simple clip the groundbreaking tool is launching soon and you don't want to launching soon and you don't want to launching soon and you don't want to miss it I've sampled it it's like miss it I've sampled it it's like miss it I've sampled it it's like nothing I've ever seen sign up for the nothing I've ever seen sign up for the nothing I've ever seen sign up for the weightless today at clips. te that's weightless today at clips. te that's weightless today at clips. te that's clips. clips. clips. te and you can be part of this te and you can be part of this te and you can be part of this Innovative movement your ministry and Innovative movement your ministry and Innovative movement your ministry and your people will thank you go to clips. your people will thank you go to clips. your people will thank you go to clips. Tech now and join the wait list it's Tech now and join the wait list it's Tech now and join the wait list it's time to discipleship into the digital time to discipleship into the digital time to discipleship into the digital age so here's a question that I never age so here's a question that I never age so here's a question that I never thought I'd ask okay does your character thought I'd ask okay does your character thought I'd ask okay does your character even matter anymore in Christian even matter anymore in Christian even matter anymore in Christian leadership you know until very recently leadership you know until very recently leadership you know until very recently uh character has been the core to the uh character has been the core to the uh character has been the core to the biblical concept of sanctification if biblical concept of sanctification if biblical concept of sanctification if you want to think about it very simply you want to think about it very simply you want to think about it very simply the more the Holy Spirit works in your the more the Holy Spirit works in your the more the Holy Spirit works in your life the more your character is honed life the more your character is honed life the more your character is honed and perfected you won't get there fully and perfected you won't get there fully and perfected you won't get there fully on Earth all right my character is going on Earth all right my character is going on Earth all right my character is going to continue to be refined daily to continue to be refined daily to continue to be refined daily but you become new right you become a but you become new right you become a but you become new right you become a different person so the question then is

different person so the question then is different person so the question then is why is this relevant well in American why is this relevant well in American why is this relevant well in American evangelicalism there is a growing move evangelicalism there is a growing move evangelicalism there is a growing move to decouple character from leadership we to decouple character from leadership we to decouple character from leadership we see it in authoritarian self-seeking see it in authoritarian self-seeking see it in authoritarian self-seeking pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly pastors uh the ones who are ruthlessly chasing social media at the expense of chasing social media at the expense of chasing social media at the expense of local Ministry or a leader you know a local Ministry or a leader you know a local Ministry or a leader you know a church leader creating a culture of fear church leader creating a culture of fear church leader creating a culture of fear in their Church rather than a culture of in their Church rather than a culture of in their Church rather than a culture of love and an embrace of Jesus I mean you love and an embrace of Jesus I mean you love and an embrace of Jesus I mean you see it in the headlines you hear it in see it in the headlines you hear it in see it in the headlines you hear it in stories when you talk to people you see stories when you talk to people you see stories when you talk to people you see it every time a pastor resigns because it every time a pastor resigns because it every time a pastor resigns because of moral failure what is that that's a of moral failure what is that that's a of moral failure what is that that's a it's like a character breach right it's like a character breach right it's like a character breach right sometimes and this is the challenge I sometimes and this is the challenge I sometimes and this is the challenge I think some people want to banish people think some people want to banish people think some people want to banish people who have a moral failure to the who have a moral failure to the who have a moral failure to the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Wilderness like a the scapegoat in the Old Testament never to be seen again Old Testament never to be seen again Old Testament never to be seen again never to be heard from again never to never to be heard from again never to never to be heard from again never to serve again and other times you see serve again and other times you see serve again and other times you see these same pastors who have done these same pastors who have done these same pastors who have done something rious setup shop across the something rious setup shop across the something rious setup shop across the street the next Sunday without ever street the next Sunday without ever street the next Sunday without ever owning their actions and they end up owning their actions and they end up owning their actions and they end up attracting followers who ignore attracting followers who ignore attracting followers who ignore character deficiencies because quote character deficiencies because quote character deficiencies because quote he's the Lord's anointed right so he's the Lord's anointed right so he's the Lord's anointed right so neither response helps but it raises the neither response helps but it raises the neither response helps but it raises the question like where's character in all question like where's character in all question like where's character in all this what's happening to Christian this what's happening to Christian this what's happening to Christian character today now this trend is also character today now this trend is also character today now this trend is also spilling over into politics now this is spilling over into politics now this is spilling over into politics now this is not specifically a political commentary not specifically a political commentary not specifically a political commentary but Aaron ran wrote a really good book but Aaron ran wrote a really good book but Aaron ran wrote a really good book called life in the negative world and he called life in the negative world and he called life in the negative world and he points out that we've seen more points out that we've seen more points out that we've seen more Evangelical Christians willing to look

Evangelical Christians willing to look Evangelical Christians willing to look past serious character flaws that past serious character flaws that past serious character flaws that previous generations would have been previous generations would have been previous generations would have been horrified to see to embrace a political horrified to see to embrace a political horrified to see to embrace a political candidate and that happens on the left candidate and that happens on the left candidate and that happens on the left and on the right right and sometimes it and on the right right and sometimes it and on the right right and sometimes it can be very tempting to overlook can be very tempting to overlook can be very tempting to overlook character issues when a politician or a character issues when a politician or a character issues when a politician or a public figure promises the results that public figure promises the results that public figure promises the results that we think we want so the question becomes we think we want so the question becomes we think we want so the question becomes does character even matter anymore in a does character even matter anymore in a does character even matter anymore in a Christian well think about this when Christian well think about this when Christian well think about this when Jimmy died early in 2025 suddenly you Jimmy died early in 2025 suddenly you Jimmy died early in 2025 suddenly you know his presidency didn't matter all know his presidency didn't matter all know his presidency didn't matter all anybody talked about was his character anybody talked about was his character anybody talked about was his character it was what he did after he became it was what he did after he became it was what he did after he became president that became his legacy and president that became his legacy and president that became his legacy and that was all fueled by a deep humility that was all fueled by a deep humility that was all fueled by a deep humility Integrity kindness uh I mean people Integrity kindness uh I mean people Integrity kindness uh I mean people hardly had a bad word to say about Jimmy hardly had a bad word to say about Jimmy hardly had a bad word to say about Jimmy Carter that was all character similarly Carter that was all character similarly Carter that was all character similarly what do you remember about people like what do you remember about people like what do you remember about people like Eugene Peterson or Dietrich Bon Hoffer Eugene Peterson or Dietrich Bon Hoffer Eugene Peterson or Dietrich Bon Hoffer Elizabeth Elliott Billy Graham you know Elizabeth Elliott Billy Graham you know Elizabeth Elliott Billy Graham you know what their legacy is yes they did what their legacy is yes they did what their legacy is yes they did incredible things for the kingdom they incredible things for the kingdom they incredible things for the kingdom they wrote great books they but it's wrote great books they but it's wrote great books they but it's basically their lives right it's it's basically their lives right it's it's basically their lives right it's it's their character and how they overcame their character and how they overcame their character and how they overcame The Temptations that you and I face to The Temptations that you and I face to The Temptations that you and I face to um not be selfish to not cave to demands um not be selfish to not cave to demands um not be selfish to not cave to demands and to really live an exemplary life so and to really live an exemplary life so and to really live an exemplary life so what I want to do is I want to tackle what I want to do is I want to tackle what I want to do is I want to tackle three dangerous myths that have crept three dangerous myths that have crept three dangerous myths that have crept into Christian thinking and then share into Christian thinking and then share into Christian thinking and then share why in my view Character Matters more why in my view Character Matters more why in my view Character Matters more than ever myth number one is this than ever myth number one is this than ever myth number one is this character is separate from competence character is separate from competence character is separate from competence that somehow you can separate competency

that somehow you can separate competency that somehow you can separate competency and character so the first myth is that and character so the first myth is that and character so the first myth is that basically I can be really good at what I basically I can be really good at what I basically I can be really good at what I do but I don't have to worry about my do but I don't have to worry about my do but I don't have to worry about my personal growth and we see this play out personal growth and we see this play out personal growth and we see this play out when churches or organizations say well when churches or organizations say well when churches or organizations say well you know what our pastor may have some you know what our pastor may have some you know what our pastor may have some character issues they may be bully-ish character issues they may be bully-ish character issues they may be bully-ish they may be difficult they might be you they may be difficult they might be you they may be difficult they might be you know not easy to work for but look at know not easy to work for but look at know not easy to work for but look at how effective they are look at how God how effective they are look at how God how effective they are look at how God is using them well you know if you use is using them well you know if you use is using them well you know if you use that line of thinking consider this that line of thinking consider this that line of thinking consider this right you're really in the same place as right you're really in the same place as right you're really in the same place as the Pharisees were they were incredibly the Pharisees were they were incredibly the Pharisees were they were incredibly effective at maintaining religious order effective at maintaining religious order effective at maintaining religious order and following rules but Jesus reserved and following rules but Jesus reserved and following rules but Jesus reserved his harshest criticism for them his harshest criticism for them his harshest criticism for them precisely because their character didn't precisely because their character didn't precisely because their character didn't match their outward competence in fact match their outward competence in fact match their outward competence in fact you know he called them whitewashed you know he called them whitewashed you know he called them whitewashed tombs impressive on the outside but full tombs impressive on the outside but full tombs impressive on the outside but full of death within so if you're a leader of death within so if you're a leader of death within so if you're a leader navigating the T I between competency navigating the T I between competency navigating the T I between competency and character um you got to focus on and character um you got to focus on and character um you got to focus on your character I really think so this is your character I really think so this is your character I really think so this is something we talk about at length inside something we talk about at length inside something we talk about at length inside the art of leadership academy in this the art of leadership academy in this the art of leadership academy in this community that we've started you don't community that we've started you don't community that we've started you don't just get leadership tactics but you get just get leadership tactics but you get just get leadership tactics but you get personal support the support you need to personal support the support you need to personal support the support you need to ask the hard questions to say hey I'm ask the hard questions to say hey I'm ask the hard questions to say hey I'm really struggling in this area and really struggling in this area and really struggling in this area and there's a community of almost 2,000 there's a community of almost 2,000 there's a community of almost 2,000 leaders who kind of have your back right leaders who kind of have your back right leaders who kind of have your back right and if you think about this even more and if you think about this even more and if you think about this even more deeply when you die nobody is going to deeply when you die nobody is going to deeply when you die nobody is going to show up at your funeral with your resume show up at your funeral with your resume show up at your funeral with your resume what are they going to show up with what are they going to show up with what are they going to show up with they're going to show up talking about they're going to show up talking about they're going to show up talking about your character were you kind were you

your character were you kind were you your character were you kind were you compassionate did you care about them compassionate did you care about them compassionate did you care about them were you self-centered were you were you self-centered were you were you self-centered were you self-focused did you have a trail of self-focused did you have a trail of self-focused did you have a trail of bodies behind you you know personally bodies behind you you know personally bodies behind you you know personally and vocationally that's what they're and vocationally that's what they're and vocationally that's what they're going to remember competency gets you in going to remember competency gets you in going to remember competency gets you in the room but character keeps you in a the room but character keeps you in a the room but character keeps you in a room okay so that's the first myth that room okay so that's the first myth that room okay so that's the first myth that you can actually separate competency and you can actually separate competency and you can actually separate competency and character in the long term character is character in the long term character is character in the long term character is going to win out and competency can get going to win out and competency can get going to win out and competency can get sunk by your lack of character myth sunk by your lack of character myth sunk by your lack of character myth number two public Effectiveness number two public Effectiveness number two public Effectiveness justifies private failings so the second justifies private failings so the second justifies private failings so the second myth basically if you want to State it myth basically if you want to State it myth basically if you want to State it simply is that your results justify your simply is that your results justify your simply is that your results justify your behavior we see this when leaders say behavior we see this when leaders say behavior we see this when leaders say look at all the good we're accomplishing look at all the good we're accomplishing look at all the good we're accomplishing yes I can be difficult yes I can be hard yes I can be difficult yes I can be hard yes I can be difficult yes I can be hard but I'm going to ignore my serious but I'm going to ignore my serious but I'm going to ignore my serious character deficiencies because look at character deficiencies because look at character deficiencies because look at how God is using me see Solomon's life how God is using me see Solomon's life how God is using me see Solomon's life tells a pretty different story wisest tells a pretty different story wisest tells a pretty different story wisest guy who ever lived built the temple guy who ever lived built the temple guy who ever lived built the temple brought Israel to the height of its brought Israel to the height of its brought Israel to the height of its power yet his character failures power yet his character failures power yet his character failures particularly his compromise with foreign particularly his compromise with foreign particularly his compromise with foreign Gods led to the division of his kingdom Gods led to the division of his kingdom Gods led to the division of his kingdom when he dies it gets divided and it was when he dies it gets divided and it was when he dies it gets divided and it was never what it was under his Reign or never what it was under his Reign or never what it was under his Reign or under his father David's Reign success under his father David's Reign success under his father David's Reign success never justifies sin and I've been never justifies sin and I've been never justifies sin and I've been tempted to do that all right I've got tempted to do that all right I've got tempted to do that all right I've got some rough edges to my person person some rough edges to my person person some rough edges to my person person ality too and there was a time where it ality too and there was a time where it ality too and there was a time where it was a bad season in my marriage and I was a bad season in my marriage and I was a bad season in my marriage and I kept thinking in the back of my head kept thinking in the back of my head kept thinking in the back of my head yeah but look at how God is using me at

yeah but look at how God is using me at yeah but look at how God is using me at our church I kept seeing you know my our church I kept seeing you know my our church I kept seeing you know my success at my work as being a success at my work as being a success at my work as being a justification for being difficult to justification for being difficult to justification for being difficult to live with and God's really dealt with me live with and God's really dealt with me live with and God's really dealt with me on that one and nope it's not a on that one and nope it's not a on that one and nope it's not a justification in fact I would rather be justification in fact I would rather be justification in fact I would rather be doing an okay job at work and doing a doing an okay job at work and doing a doing an okay job at work and doing a great job as a follower of Jesus than uh great job as a follower of Jesus than uh great job as a follower of Jesus than uh and and have a great family life than and and have a great family life than and and have a great family life than the opposite you know and ultimately as the opposite you know and ultimately as the opposite you know and ultimately as we've seen with moral failure after we've seen with moral failure after we've seen with moral failure after moral failure in the church competency moral failure in the church competency moral failure in the church competency gets you in the room character keeps you gets you in the room character keeps you gets you in the room character keeps you in the room for church leaders that in the room for church leaders that in the room for church leaders that needs to continue to be the case third needs to continue to be the case third needs to continue to be the case third myth that I think we're struggling with myth that I think we're struggling with myth that I think we're struggling with in this cultural moment is restoration in this cultural moment is restoration in this cultural moment is restoration means immediate means immediate means immediate reinstatement so acknowledging wrong if reinstatement so acknowledging wrong if reinstatement so acknowledging wrong if you're just like you know what I blew it you're just like you know what I blew it you're just like you know what I blew it and I want to be back next Sunday all and I want to be back next Sunday all and I want to be back next Sunday all right is that like a valid path or not right is that like a valid path or not right is that like a valid path or not and again we'll go back to what we and again we'll go back to what we and again we'll go back to what we started with there's two extremes here started with there's two extremes here started with there's two extremes here either you get permanent banishment with either you get permanent banishment with either you get permanent banishment with no path to Restoration or immediate no path to Restoration or immediate no path to Restoration or immediate reinstatement without any process of reinstatement without any process of reinstatement without any process of rebuilding trust or character right so rebuilding trust or character right so rebuilding trust or character right so you're either done forever like cut off you're either done forever like cut off you're either done forever like cut off or you set up shop a week a month a year or you set up shop a week a month a year or you set up shop a week a month a year later across the street but you haven't later across the street but you haven't later across the street but you haven't rebuilt trust you haven't rebuilt your rebuilt trust you haven't rebuilt your rebuilt trust you haven't rebuilt your character you're just starting over character you're just starting over character you're just starting over again but you're not any different now I again but you're not any different now I again but you're not any different now I know underneath this and I can see it in know underneath this and I can see it in know underneath this and I can see it in the comments and response to this the comments and response to this the comments and response to this conversation right you're going to say conversation right you're going to say conversation right you're going to say but God uses flawed people right and

but God uses flawed people right and but God uses flawed people right and we're all flawed absolutely true I am a we're all flawed absolutely true I am a we're all flawed absolutely true I am a flawed human being and with all due flawed human being and with all due flawed human being and with all due respect so are you but there's a respect so are you but there's a respect so are you but there's a profound difference between being profound difference between being profound difference between being imperfect and being imperfect and being imperfect and being unrepentant that's a big difference if unrepentant that's a big difference if unrepentant that's a big difference if you're seeking to justify your sin if you're seeking to justify your sin if you're seeking to justify your sin if you're like it's better to say sorry you're like it's better to say sorry you're like it's better to say sorry every day than it is to just say you every day than it is to just say you every day than it is to just say you know what that's just the way I am know what that's just the way I am know what that's just the way I am that's how God made me David sinned that's how God made me David sinned that's how God made me David sinned egregiously but his response in Psalm 51 egregiously but his response in Psalm 51 egregiously but his response in Psalm 51 shows what genuine repentance looks like shows what genuine repentance looks like shows what genuine repentance looks like it's deep it's thorough and he was it's deep it's thorough and he was it's deep it's thorough and he was willing to accept the consequences in willing to accept the consequences in willing to accept the consequences in fact the best leaders I know who've gone fact the best leaders I know who've gone fact the best leaders I know who've gone through a period where their character through a period where their character through a period where their character was really in question have fully was really in question have fully was really in question have fully accepted the consequences they've accepted the consequences they've accepted the consequences they've stepped back submitting themselves to stepped back submitting themselves to stepped back submitting themselves to the authority and the leadership of the authority and the leadership of the authority and the leadership of other people other people other people independently and when the other people independently and when the other people independently and when the other people said they were ready to go back they said they were ready to go back they said they were ready to go back they went back so the current argument that went back so the current argument that went back so the current argument that we can separate leader personal we can separate leader personal we can separate leader personal character from their public role character from their public role character from their public role represents not just a departure from represents not just a departure from represents not just a departure from Christian tradition but a fundamental Christian tradition but a fundamental Christian tradition but a fundamental misunderstanding of how character works misunderstanding of how character works misunderstanding of how character works character isn't like a coat that you can character isn't like a coat that you can character isn't like a coat that you can just take off for certain roles it's on just take off for certain roles it's on just take off for certain roles it's on the inside right it's who you are and the inside right it's who you are and the inside right it's who you are and you bring your character everywhere you you bring your character everywhere you you bring your character everywhere you go it impacts your parenting if you're a go it impacts your parenting if you're a go it impacts your parenting if you're a parent it impacts your marriage it parent it impacts your marriage it parent it impacts your marriage it impacts ta your closest members of your impacts ta your closest members of your impacts ta your closest members of your team uh and it's the people closest to team uh and it's the people closest to team uh and it's the people closest to you that often pay the biggest price for you that often pay the biggest price for you that often pay the biggest price for character deficiencies now I want to character deficiencies now I want to character deficiencies now I want to think about it through one more lens in

think about it through one more lens in think about it through one more lens in Galatians 5 Paul gives us two Galatians 5 Paul gives us two Galatians 5 Paul gives us two contrasting lists that feel particularly contrasting lists that feel particularly contrasting lists that feel particularly relevant so on one and I come back to relevant so on one and I come back to relevant so on one and I come back to this text over and over again the fruit this text over and over again the fruit this text over and over again the fruit of the spirit the Holy Spirit when the of the spirit the Holy Spirit when the of the spirit the Holy Spirit when the holy spirit's at work in my life this is holy spirit's at work in my life this is holy spirit's at work in my life this is what my life should look like should what my life should look like should what my life should look like should look like love joy peace patience look like love joy peace patience look like love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness kindness goodness faithfulness kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control you know gentleness and self-control you know gentleness and self-control you know that list right if you're a Christian that list right if you're a Christian that list right if you're a Christian you've read the Bible you know that list you've read the Bible you know that list you've read the Bible you know that list if God is active in your life your life if God is active in your life your life if God is active in your life your life should be characterized by those should be characterized by those should be characterized by those qualities and characteristics and we're qualities and characteristics and we're qualities and characteristics and we're not perfect but hey more and more I want not perfect but hey more and more I want not perfect but hey more and more I want my life to be about love joy peace my life to be about love joy peace my life to be about love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness patience kindness goodness faithfulness patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control but just gentleness and self-control but just gentleness and self-control but just above that like in the preceding verses above that like in the preceding verses above that like in the preceding verses there's another list that Paul says are there's another list that Paul says are there's another list that Paul says are the fruits of the other spirit and this the fruits of the other spirit and this the fruits of the other spirit and this is what we see so much in Christian is what we see so much in Christian is what we see so much in Christian Christian character today what do we see Christian character today what do we see Christian character today what do we see Paul says well if the holy spirit is not Paul says well if the holy spirit is not Paul says well if the holy spirit is not present and there's another Spirit present and there's another Spirit present and there's another Spirit present you're going to see hatred present you're going to see hatred present you're going to see hatred Discord jealousy fits of Rage selfish Discord jealousy fits of Rage selfish Discord jealousy fits of Rage selfish ambition dissensions factions and envy ambition dissensions factions and envy ambition dissensions factions and envy guess what that describes social media guess what that describes social media guess what that describes social media and a lot of Christian circles that and a lot of Christian circles that and a lot of Christian circles that describes Church culture in a lot of describes Church culture in a lot of describes Church culture in a lot of Christian circles and you got to ask Christian circles and you got to ask Christian circles and you got to ask yourself so you know look at that list yourself so you know look at that list yourself so you know look at that list hatred Discord jealousy fits of Rage hatred Discord jealousy fits of Rage hatred Discord jealousy fits of Rage selfish ambition dissensions factions selfish ambition dissensions factions selfish ambition dissensions factions Envy question would you give your Envy question would you give your Envy question would you give your daughter like a blessing to date someone

daughter like a blessing to date someone daughter like a blessing to date someone with those traits no would you you with those traits no would you you with those traits no would you you envision a future for her where she's envision a future for her where she's envision a future for her where she's going to have to wake up to hatred and going to have to wake up to hatred and going to have to wake up to hatred and rage and selfishness and envy and rage and selfishness and envy and rage and selfishness and envy and factions every day I hope not however factions every day I hope not however factions every day I hope not however we're in a rapidly shifting cultural we're in a rapidly shifting cultural we're in a rapidly shifting cultural moment and a growing number of public moment and a growing number of public moment and a growing number of public Christian voices some pastors and Christian voices some pastors and Christian voices some pastors and elected officials are actively embodying elected officials are actively embodying elected officials are actively embodying not the fruit of the Holy Spirit but the not the fruit of the Holy Spirit but the not the fruit of the Holy Spirit but the very different characteristics Paul very different characteristics Paul very different characteristics Paul warned against it's the fruit of the warned against it's the fruit of the warned against it's the fruit of the other Spirit right the fruit of the other Spirit right the fruit of the other Spirit right the fruit of the enemy and that's what they're building enemy and that's what they're building enemy and that's what they're building their platforms and that's how they're their platforms and that's how they're their platforms and that's how they're garnering garnering garnering support so what happens in an era where support so what happens in an era where support so what happens in an era where pastors and leaders increasingly Embrace pastors and leaders increasingly Embrace pastors and leaders increasingly Embrace or Justify hatred jealousy fits of Rage or Justify hatred jealousy fits of Rage or Justify hatred jealousy fits of Rage selfish ambition factions and envy for selfish ambition factions and envy for selfish ambition factions and envy for personal gain like what happens when not personal gain like what happens when not personal gain like what happens when not just the culture but the Christian just the culture but the Christian just the culture but the Christian culture starts to tolerate or even culture starts to tolerate or even culture starts to tolerate or even reward this reward this reward this Behavior those are the questions I think Behavior those are the questions I think Behavior those are the questions I think we need to be wrestling with and I don't we need to be wrestling with and I don't we need to be wrestling with and I don't like the answer to those questions this like the answer to those questions this like the answer to those questions this is a call back to the fruits of the Holy is a call back to the fruits of the Holy is a call back to the fruits of the Holy Spirit In Me perhaps in you and I wanted Spirit In Me perhaps in you and I wanted Spirit In Me perhaps in you and I wanted to give you five reasons before we wrap to give you five reasons before we wrap to give you five reasons before we wrap up why your character really matters up why your character really matters up why your character really matters most first of all your character is is most first of all your character is is most first of all your character is is the work of sanctification discipleship the work of sanctification discipleship the work of sanctification discipleship and the work of God making you holy and the work of God making you holy and the work of God making you holy right if God is at work in your life right if God is at work in your life right if God is at work in your life according to scripture deep down he's according to scripture deep down he's according to scripture deep down he's going to be chipping away at your going to be chipping away at your going to be chipping away at your character you know that I know that

character you know that I know that character you know that I know that Christians have believed that for 2,000 Christians have believed that for 2,000 Christians have believed that for 2,000 years and when you start to abandon years and when you start to abandon years and when you start to abandon character as a mark of Christian character as a mark of Christian character as a mark of Christian maturity you don't have Christianity maturity you don't have Christianity maturity you don't have Christianity anymore second your character is your anymore second your character is your anymore second your character is your witness as a Christian your character witness as a Christian your character witness as a Christian your character determines how other people perceive you determines how other people perceive you determines how other people perceive you so you know it's funny I I read this so you know it's funny I I read this so you know it's funny I I read this study that says when Christians are study that says when Christians are study that says when Christians are asked what they think causes asked what they think causes asked what they think causes non-christians to doubt Christianity non-christians to doubt Christianity non-christians to doubt Christianity Christians say the problem of suffering Christians say the problem of suffering Christians say the problem of suffering is a bigger stumbling block than is a bigger stumbling block than is a bigger stumbling block than hypocrisy is with only 22% of Christians hypocrisy is with only 22% of Christians hypocrisy is with only 22% of Christians saying hypocrisy is a barrier but when saying hypocrisy is a barrier but when saying hypocrisy is a barrier but when you ask people who don't believe people you ask people who don't believe people you ask people who don't believe people of no faith what the stumbling block is of no faith what the stumbling block is of no faith what the stumbling block is 42% say the hypocrisy of religious 42% say the hypocrisy of religious 42% say the hypocrisy of religious people only 30% name suffering so people only 30% name suffering so people only 30% name suffering so Christians are like well the reason Christians are like well the reason Christians are like well the reason they're not Christians they can't they're not Christians they can't they're not Christians they can't reconcile suffering in God it's like reconcile suffering in God it's like reconcile suffering in God it's like actually no the reason we're not a actually no the reason we're not a actually no the reason we're not a Christian is because you are a hypocrite Christian is because you are a hypocrite Christian is because you are a hypocrite okay so as Mahatma Gandhi said years ago okay so as Mahatma Gandhi said years ago okay so as Mahatma Gandhi said years ago decades ago I like your Christ I just decades ago I like your Christ I just decades ago I like your Christ I just don't like your Christians so Christians don't like your Christians so Christians don't like your Christians so Christians we got to wake up like that is what the we got to wake up like that is what the we got to wake up like that is what the world is seeing in US third your world is seeing in US third your world is seeing in US third your character determines the quality of all character determines the quality of all character determines the quality of all of your relationships right it of your relationships right it of your relationships right it determines your work your parenting your determines your work your parenting your determines your work your parenting your marriage your friendships all driven by marriage your friendships all driven by marriage your friendships all driven by character if you're going to keep a character if you're going to keep a character if you're going to keep a tight and valuable Inner Circle in your tight and valuable Inner Circle in your tight and valuable Inner Circle in your life quality people tend to stick around life quality people tend to stick around life quality people tend to stick around people with High character and I want people with High character and I want people with High character and I want the people closest to me to have the the people closest to me to have the the people closest to me to have the best experience of me so your character best experience of me so your character best experience of me so your character leaks out into those intimate and close leaks out into those intimate and close leaks out into those intimate and close relationships fourth and we've touched relationships fourth and we've touched relationships fourth and we've touched on this briefly but I want to illuminate

on this briefly but I want to illuminate on this briefly but I want to illuminate your character is all your family and your character is all your family and your character is all your family and close friends remember of you okay and close friends remember of you okay and close friends remember of you okay and eventually this is really hard to eventually this is really hard to eventually this is really hard to comprehend but it's going to happen your comprehend but it's going to happen your comprehend but it's going to happen your beautiful complex amazing life and mine beautiful complex amazing life and mine beautiful complex amazing life and mine gets r to a single sentence right gets r to a single sentence right gets r to a single sentence right eventually after you die maybe not in eventually after you die maybe not in eventually after you die maybe not in the first weeks or months but give it a the first weeks or months but give it a the first weeks or months but give it a year or two all of us are going to be year or two all of us are going to be year or two all of us are going to be described in a single sentence something described in a single sentence something described in a single sentence something like your kids are sitting around having like your kids are sitting around having like your kids are sitting around having dinner going my mom a she was such a dinner going my mom a she was such a dinner going my mom a she was such a kind person man we miss her what's for kind person man we miss her what's for kind person man we miss her what's for dinner all right that's exactly how it dinner all right that's exactly how it dinner all right that's exactly how it goes or they're going to say yeah my dad goes or they're going to say yeah my dad goes or they're going to say yeah my dad my dad cheated on my mom and broke up my dad cheated on my mom and broke up my dad cheated on my mom and broke up our family anyway where are you guys our family anyway where are you guys our family anyway where are you guys going after supper tonight that's how it going after supper tonight that's how it going after supper tonight that's how it happens you and I single sentence and happens you and I single sentence and happens you and I single sentence and what gets inserted into that sentence is what gets inserted into that sentence is what gets inserted into that sentence is our character okay fifth Factor our character okay fifth Factor our character okay fifth Factor constantly refining your character is a constantly refining your character is a constantly refining your character is a form of self- protection as well I love form of self- protection as well I love form of self- protection as well I love the way Tim Keller puts it he says moral the way Tim Keller puts it he says moral the way Tim Keller puts it he says moral character is to success as the safety is character is to success as the safety is character is to success as the safety is to a gun it keeps you from shooting to a gun it keeps you from shooting to a gun it keeps you from shooting yourself think about that right if yourself think about that right if yourself think about that right if you're successful a lot of you are very you're successful a lot of you are very you're successful a lot of you are very successful what is moral character it's successful what is moral character it's successful what is moral character it's the safety to the gun it keeps you from the safety to the gun it keeps you from the safety to the gun it keeps you from shooting yourself all right interesting shooting yourself all right interesting shooting yourself all right interesting image I love it because that's what it image I love it because that's what it image I love it because that's what it does when you're successful if you does when you're successful if you does when you're successful if you ignore your character you're going to ignore your character you're going to ignore your character you're going to shoot yourself and probably hurt some shoot yourself and probably hurt some shoot yourself and probably hurt some other people in the process so in an era other people in the process so in an era other people in the process so in an era of faux celebrity with everybody wanting of faux celebrity with everybody wanting of faux celebrity with everybody wanting or having a platform does it actually or having a platform does it actually or having a platform does it actually matter if someone in California thinks matter if someone in California thinks matter if someone in California thinks you're amazing or you know you think I'm

you're amazing or you know you think I'm you're amazing or you know you think I'm amazing but my wife can't stand me and amazing but my wife can't stand me and amazing but my wife can't stand me and my kids don't want to talk to me now the my kids don't want to talk to me now the my kids don't want to talk to me now the good news is there are people who take good news is there are people who take good news is there are people who take their character very seriously now they their character very seriously now they their character very seriously now they never make the headlines why cuz good never make the headlines why cuz good never make the headlines why cuz good news doesn't make the headlines like news doesn't make the headlines like news doesn't make the headlines like politicians sends flowers to grieving politicians sends flowers to grieving politicians sends flowers to grieving victims families that doesn't make the victims families that doesn't make the victims families that doesn't make the headlines cuz it's not a negative story headlines cuz it's not a negative story headlines cuz it's not a negative story right husband cares for wife and takes right husband cares for wife and takes right husband cares for wife and takes kids out for the weekend giving her a kids out for the weekend giving her a kids out for the weekend giving her a weekend to herself that never makes the weekend to herself that never makes the weekend to herself that never makes the headlines it's good news um you know headlines it's good news um you know headlines it's good news um you know Pastor prays for half an hour every Pastor prays for half an hour every Pastor prays for half an hour every morning that doesn't make the headlines morning that doesn't make the headlines morning that doesn't make the headlines but they are reforming their character but they are reforming their character but they are reforming their character they are changing and there's a lot of they are changing and there's a lot of they are changing and there's a lot of good news stories out there and good news stories out there and good news stories out there and sometimes they do make the Press I am sometimes they do make the Press I am sometimes they do make the Press I am still moved by John Piper decision to still moved by John Piper decision to still moved by John Piper decision to step back from Ministry at his church in step back from Ministry at his church in step back from Ministry at his church in 2010 so I want to take a minute and just 2010 so I want to take a minute and just 2010 so I want to take a minute and just listen to or look at how John approached listen to or look at how John approached listen to or look at how John approached this with his congregation he saw some this with his congregation he saw some this with his congregation he saw some checks in his character and he decided checks in his character and he decided checks in his character and he decided to take a break check this out I do to take a break check this out I do to take a break check this out I do apologize for the sins of my own soul apologize for the sins of my own soul apologize for the sins of my own soul flaws of my flaws of my flaws of my character stresses that they have caused character stresses that they have caused character stresses that they have caused you family you family you family and and are and and are and and are causing at least those three causing at least those three causing at least those three things my own sins the flaws in my things my own sins the flaws in my things my own sins the flaws in my character the dysfunctions of people character the dysfunctions of people character the dysfunctions of people around me because of me I want to quote around me because of me I want to quote around me because of me I want to quote Piper at a little more length you know

Piper at a little more length you know Piper at a little more length you know he did it because he didn't like what he did it because he didn't like what he did it because he didn't like what was happening inside his character and I was happening inside his character and I was happening inside his character and I want to quote a little more at length he want to quote a little more at length he want to quote a little more at length he wrote I see several species of pride in wrote I see several species of pride in wrote I see several species of pride in my soul that while they might not rise my soul that while they might not rise my soul that while they might not rise to the level of disqualifying me for to the level of disqualifying me for to the level of disqualifying me for Ministry grieve me they have taken a Ministry grieve me they have taken a Ministry grieve me they have taken a toll on my relationship with Noel his toll on my relationship with Noel his toll on my relationship with Noel his wife and others who are dear to me how wife and others who are dear to me how wife and others who are dear to me how do I apologize to you not for a specific do I apologize to you not for a specific do I apologize to you not for a specific deed but for ongoing character flaws and deed but for ongoing character flaws and deed but for ongoing character flaws and their effects on everybody I'll say it their effects on everybody I'll say it their effects on everybody I'll say it now and no doubt we'll say it again I'm now and no doubt we'll say it again I'm now and no doubt we'll say it again I'm sorry and since I don't have just one sorry and since I don't have just one sorry and since I don't have just one DED to point to I simply ask for a DED to point to I simply ask for a DED to point to I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness and I give you as spirit of forgiveness and I give you as spirit of forgiveness and I give you as much Assurance as I can that I am not much Assurance as I can that I am not much Assurance as I can that I am not making peace but war with my own sins oh making peace but war with my own sins oh making peace but war with my own sins oh my goodness we need a lot more of that my goodness we need a lot more of that my goodness we need a lot more of that in the church and I've been through my in the church and I've been through my in the church and I've been through my own season like that too when my spirit own season like that too when my spirit own season like that too when my spirit was harsh enough that it was impacting was harsh enough that it was impacting was harsh enough that it was impacting my wife and my family and the people my wife and my family and the people my wife and my family and the people around me I didn't have the courage to around me I didn't have the courage to around me I didn't have the courage to take a sabatical like John Piper did but take a sabatical like John Piper did but take a sabatical like John Piper did but I could have and maybe I should have and I could have and maybe I should have and I could have and maybe I should have and maybe I was just too afraid to deal with maybe I was just too afraid to deal with maybe I was just too afraid to deal with it burnout took care of it and it it burnout took care of it and it it burnout took care of it and it derailed me it's like God did a hard derailed me it's like God did a hard derailed me it's like God did a hard stop in my life and I've recalibrated so stop in my life and I've recalibrated so stop in my life and I've recalibrated so much uh over the last 20 years as a much uh over the last 20 years as a much uh over the last 20 years as a result so I've worked hard with result so I've worked hard with result so I've worked hard with therapists with um you know people who therapists with um you know people who therapists with um you know people who have refined my spiritual journey and have refined my spiritual journey and have refined my spiritual journey and here's my test this is where I've ended here's my test this is where I've ended here's my test this is where I've ended up on character my test is I want the up on character my test is I want the up on character my test is I want the people closest to me to have the best people closest to me to have the best people closest to me to have the best experience of me um 20 years ago people

experience of me um 20 years ago people experience of me um 20 years ago people got the best of me who were strangers got the best of me who were strangers got the best of me who were strangers and the people close to me kind of got and the people close to me kind of got and the people close to me kind of got the shrapnel The Leftovers the the shrapnel The Leftovers the the shrapnel The Leftovers the exhaustion the hardness my impatient my exhaustion the hardness my impatient my exhaustion the hardness my impatient my frustration and I can still struggle frustration and I can still struggle frustration and I can still struggle with that a little bit today but what I with that a little bit today but what I with that a little bit today but what I realize is Character Matters and at some realize is Character Matters and at some realize is Character Matters and at some point if the Light of Christ doesn't point if the Light of Christ doesn't point if the Light of Christ doesn't shine through me what is my walk really shine through me what is my walk really shine through me what is my walk really about like how do I call myself a about like how do I call myself a about like how do I call myself a Christian if I don't have a Christlike Christian if I don't have a Christlike Christian if I don't have a Christlike Spirit if the fruits of the spirit are Spirit if the fruits of the spirit are Spirit if the fruits of the spirit are nowhere to be found in me I think we're nowhere to be found in me I think we're nowhere to be found in me I think we're at a really critical moment for the at a really critical moment for the at a really critical moment for the church the toxic Spirit reverberating church the toxic Spirit reverberating church the toxic Spirit reverberating through Christian leadership is through Christian leadership is through Christian leadership is threatening the church's Mission so back threatening the church's Mission so back threatening the church's Mission so back to where we started do character matter to where we started do character matter to where we started do character matter more than ever and if you're a leader more than ever and if you're a leader more than ever and if you're a leader your character isn't just personal it's your character isn't just personal it's your character isn't just personal it's shaping the people around you the shaping the people around you the shaping the people around you the culture of your team the future of your culture of your team the future of your culture of your team the future of your ministry leadership isn't just about ministry leadership isn't just about ministry leadership isn't just about skills or results it's about who you're skills or results it's about who you're skills or results it's about who you're becoming as a person