Strength of Character
Years ago, I received a prophetic word that said God would make me strong of character, like steel. God will do the same for any believer. Steel is indeed strong and can take a lot. It can endure and last and support massive structures. Steel is strengthened by being tempered through a heating process. In the same way, as we go through the fire, God will use it to burn impurities out of us and strengthen us at the same time. With strength of character we are strong enough to endure whatever we go through and come out stronger instead of weaker.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16 (KJV)
With strength of character, we have inner fortitude to overcome and outlast temptations and trials that come. It gives us the ability to endure any test we go through. Meanwhile, God is continuing to develop in us the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-like character (Galatians 5:22-23), making us more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, gentle, good, faithful, meek and self-controlled. God will strengthen our spirit man so we have inner strength based on this fruit and so we can walk in it as we go through things daily. As this fruit grows and develops in us, we become more Christ-like where we are more like strengthened steel. Christ-likeness and strength of character are one and the same.
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:10-14 (KJV)
Colossians 1:9 says “that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” When we know God’s will and operate in the wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit, we walk out Colossians 1:10-11. We become fruitful in every good work and we are strengthened by His power, exhibiting patient endurance with joy. Then we give thanks to the Father (verse 12), and the power of darkness has no authority over us for we are walking in God’s kingdom (verse 13). As a result, we can exercise our kingdom rights and privileges, meaning we partake of all of God’s promises and the redemptive work of Christ based on the blood of Jesus (Verse 14).
God has developed and keeps on developing us. The more we choose God and His Word, especially when it is challenging to do so, the more God develops strength of character in us. As He does, we become more and more Christ-like, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.
For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him. Romans 8:29 (The Passion Translation, TPT)
God uses everything we encounter to make us more like Jesus Christ. You are becoming strong like steel, my friend.
