1. Character Tests Romans 5:4

2. Who Wants to Take A Test? Let’s take a test. No way! We don’t like tests. Our life is a one big test. This test cannot be avoided. It’s a pass or fail exam. Character is everything!

3. “Character” in the NT The Gr. dokime means “to past the test and stand approved;” or a “stamp of approval.” It is translated “experience,” “approvedness,” or “character.” This word is found 6 times in the NT: Rom.5:4; 2 Cor.2:9; 8:2; 9:13; 13:3; Phil.2:22.

4. Six Tests of Character 1. When you are given a Bible command (teaching) contrary to your thinking. How do we react? Argue about it, substitute, or ignore it? Examples: Naaman (2 K.5:1-14), rich young ruler (Mt.19:16-22), and Peter (Ac.10:9-16; cf. 11:17).

5. Six Tests of Character There are Bible commands that are contrary to our thinking: husbands (Eph. 5:23ff; 1 Pet.3:7); wives (Eph.5:23; 1 Cor.11:3); and children (Eph.6:1). Disobedience shows poor character (Tit.3:3).

6. Six Tests of Character 2. When you are alone. How do we react? Misbehave, fall into sin, or act without restraint? Examples of those who were alone: Joseph (Gen. 37), Daniel and friends (Dan. 1; 3; 6), and Peter (Mt. 26).

7. Six Tests of Character We must remember that God sees all. He sees the good and the evil (Prov. 15:3). We are naked before God (Heb. 4:12). Doing shameful things in secret shows poor character (Eph. 5:12).

8. Six Tests of Character 3. When you fail. How do we react? Disappointment, discouragement, or give up and quit? Examples of those who failed, but continued on: Joshua (Josh.6-7), Peter & the fishermen (Lk.5:1-11), and Peter’s denial (Lk.22:32).

9. Six Tests of Character We must learn from our failures and move on. The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. Surrendering to defeat shows poor character (2 Sam. 17:23; Mt. 27:5).

10. Six Tests of Character 4. When you are persecuted or mistreated. How do we react? Complain, give up and quit, or revenge? Examples of those who were persecuted, but kept on: Peter & John (Ac.4-5), the Jerusalem church (Ac.8:1-4), Paul (Ac.14:19-22; cf. 2 Cor.11:23,32-33; Ac.20:22-24), and Jesus (1 Pet. 2:23).

11. Six Tests of Character We must endure our persecution and move on. Persecution reveals our character (1 Pet. 1:7). Quitting shows poor character (Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:3).

12. Six Tests of Character 5. When you are criticized (justly or unjustly). How do you react? Cry unfair, give up and quit, or revenge? Examples of persons who were criticized for doing God’s work: Nehemiah (4:1-6), Paul & Silas (Ac.16:20-21), John and Jesus (Mt.11:18-19).

13. Six Tests of Character We must continue on through criticism. When the criticism is fair and just, do we listen to it and make correction (Prov. 9:8- 9)? Not being able to receive criticism shows poor character (Prov. 10:17; 12:1; 15:32).

14. Six Tests of Character 6. When you don’t get your way. How do you react (matters of opinion)? Pout, childish, or forceful? Examples: Paul & Barnabas (Ac.15:39), the Romans (14:1-15:3), and the Corinthians (8:1-13; 10:23-33). Selfishness shows poor character (2 Tim. 3:2).

15. Character Tests Are you passing the character tests (2 Cor.13:5-6; “reprobate” is adokimos, “to fail the test”). If we fail in the judgment day, we won’t get an “F,” we’ll get an “H” (for Hell).