What Destroys Our Character?

Why is it so hard for Christians to finish well? Reading that question perhaps reminds you of someone who crashed and burned. It does not take much accounting to realize that many followers of Jesus who start well or accomplish great things somehow stumble at the finish line or simply quit running. 
           
​King Uzziah had it all. He had a brilliant military mind that conceptualized building devices that shot arrows and catapulted large stones from towers. These were crucial in defending Judah’s cities (26:15). God gave him success against his enemies, whom he defeated in battle, as long as he listened to the advice of Zechariah the priest.

Meditation
2 Chronicles 26:16—But when he became strong, he grew arrogant and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the Lord his God by going into the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar.
             
We all fall because we all sin. But we don’t have to finish poorly like King Uzziah, if we can avoid the following six factors that destroy character.
#1.  Lack of discipline or laziness. Those who fail to understand the rules, laws, and culture often make mistakes that harm their reputation. An unwillingness to get enough rest, overeating, or consuming unhealthy foods, and a lack of exercise are sure ingredients for failure.  
At the end of your life, you will lament when your physical body has been consumed, and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and how my heart despised correction, I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closelyto my mentors. (Proverbs 5:11-13).
 #2.  A critical spirit and resentment. Resentment can be a conduit for justifying sinful behavior.  “Saul was furious and resented this song. ‘They credited tens of thousands to David,’ he complained, ‘but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?’” (1 Samuel 18:8).
 #3.   Pride and insecurity. With the benefits of power and prestige, people begin to think they are special, and the rules that apply to others no longer apply to them. “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom” (Pro. 11:2).
 #4.  Fear and succumbing to peer pressure. Those who are fearful will not stand up to those who hold power or the clamoring crowd. “Saul answered Samuel, ‘I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them’” (1 Sa. 15:24).
#5.   Selfishness.  Those who make life all about themselves are sure to find ruin. 
For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.  (2 Corinthians 12:20).
#6.  Lack of accountability and compromise. Believers who cut corners morally or justify sin are in big trouble.  “You know that I’ve worked hard for your father and that he has cheated me and changed my wages 10 times. But God has not let him harm me” (Genesis 31:6,7).
           
​Discipline, a good attitude, humility, courage, selflessness, and accountability are great attributes to seek in order to finish life well. If you see someone struggling with their integrity, come alongside them and offer encouragement. Do it with kindness and without a critical attitude. If you fall, confess your failure to the Lord and then seek His help to get back up and run well. The world desperately needs godly examples of finishing well for God’s glory.
 
Inspiration
“Either God will control you, or you will try to control yourself. You see, the Holy Spirit not your own strength of will, is the source of all character.”--Phil Downer in Eternal Impact.
 
©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)