What Are the Attributes That Define Character?

Accountability and responsibility are both firmly bound up in faith but can be ignored if strength of character is deficient. Hosea 8:7 reminds us if we sow the wind we will reap the whirlwind by rejecting what God has called us to be with our lives.

This truth is spelled out by Samuel Smiles: “Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” His poem implies accountability is unavoidable.

Our character and destiny are measured by courage, accountability,  and faith. Personal growth in faith and trust clears the way for walking humbly before God. Micah 6:8 is instructive. “The Lord has told us what he requires, and that is to do what is just, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” The Lord God empowers you to be accountable as you trust in him. 

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For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.

~Galatians 5:17 Good News Bible

 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

~Matthew 26:41 New International Version

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What Prevents Us from Facing the Truth about Ourselves?

The majority of individuals know what it’s like to experience the cutting edge of suspicion. It cuts deep and drains the heart of joy and peace. What was once predictable and trustworthy can become inundated with uncertainty, resulting in worry and insecurity.

Behaving in hurtful, reckless ways will bring unimaginable consequences that stress the body and mind. Hosea 8:7 issues this warning: “Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” When a relationship is abused through neglect or distrust, the end result will be an empty, hollow life.

Yet, sincerely turning away from sin to face God and the truth brings strength to endure whatever must be faced. God does not desire to punish through the whirlwind, but it’s impossible to prevent consequences from running their course. His forgiveness and mercy replace guilt and the darkness of suspicion and mistrust to make way for a new beginning with God and others.

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Why then should we, mere humans as we are, murmur and complain when punished for our sins? Let us examine ourselves instead, and repent and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to him in heaven.

~Lamentations 3:39-41 The Living Bible

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To Forgive Is Divine

Alexander Pope the English poet wrote, "to forgive is divine," meaning God's attitude is reflected in us when we forgive those who have hurt us. What makes forgiveness difficult is we want to be sure the wrongdoer doesn't get off Scot-free. If God exercised justice and gave us what we deserved, there would no hope for us.

Failure to forgive is akin to “sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind.” Jesus told about a man who owed an outlandish debt but was unable to pay it. He begged for mercy and the lender forgave the entire debt. The forgiven man then called in a small loan owed to him and had the person thrown in prison when he couldn’t pay up.

That behavior represents justice without mercy. When the first lender heard about the second lender’s behavior, he withdrew his forgiveness and sent that man to prison. That's what it means to "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." Forgiveness coupled with gratitude cleanses the heart, mind and spirit.  

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Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit gives him. 

~Galatians 6:7-8 The Living Bible

Light shines in the darkness for good people, for those who are merciful, kind, and just.

~Psalm 112:4 Good News Bible

From Wind to Whirlwind

Seeking revenge is comparable to sowing the wind only to reap the whirlwind. A Filipino proverb argues, “They who sow the wind will reap the typhoon”. The compulsion to get revenge may not take into consideration the possibility of a backlash, as in sudden acts of violence being hurled back in a tit-for-tat show of strength.

 

When the sons of Jacob reacted to the rape of their sister by murdering everyone they deemed responsible, they never considered the effect it would have on their father. Jacob was overcome by fear and fled the country because he expected retaliation. He knew revenge does not remain un-revenged.

When we've been hurt, God intends for us to act with mercy. God wants us to trust him to act appropriately, which means he will do what is just, but with mercy. Sir Thomas Elliott warned that if mercy is missing in us, all other virtues will be stifled. Think about that for a minute. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”
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But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful. Turn to me and have mercy on me; strengthen me and save me...
~PSALM 86:15-16 Good News Bible