David is one of the most beloved characters in the Bible because of the Psalms, the benevolence with which he ruled over Israel in its golden age and his place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. At the same time, he is viewed as a pathetic despot because of his sins of adultery, lying and murder.
We know that the human nature is flawed because of the sins of Adam. Romans 7 refers to the law of the flesh. Yet, we also understand that the flesh is imperfect and is loaded with character flaws. What should the sincere Christian do when he or she encounters these imperfections? Are they sins to repent of and overcome, or are they merely character flaws that should be accepted and overlooked?
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
How frustrated should we be over our idiosyncrasies, our faults and our personality quirks if they cannot be designated as sin? Does God intend for us to become perfect while we are still in the flesh? Here is what Paul wrote to the Galatians:
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
While this seems like a dilemma, there is a very important distinction between flaws and sins. A flaw is a natural result of living in the flesh. A sin is a deliberate transgression against the knowledge of the scripture and against the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Not all flaws are sins, but all sins are flaws. People who want to rationalize away their sins often categorize them as mere flaws.
We should not be so dismissive of traits that we label as character flaws. Once those traits have been identified as a violation of the scripture, we must then admit that they are actually sins that need to be washed away by the blood of Christ.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
By examining a list of supposed character flaws, we can get a better grasp of the behaviors we call character flaws.
Character Flaws Character Assets
Proud
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Obadiah 1:2 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised. 3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. 5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? 6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
Saul: 1 Samuel 17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
arrogant, insolent unassuming, humble
boastful modest, humble
conceited,self-important humble, modest
exaggerating honest, realistic
falsely prideful modest, humble
intolerant tolerant, understanding, patient
inflexible, stubborn open-minded, flexible
self-important humble, modest
superior, grandiose, pretentious humble
vain modest, humble
Contentious Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Judas Mark 14:4; Peter John 18:10.
aggressive, belligerent good-natured, gentle
angry forgiving, calm, generous
argumentative, quarrelsome agreeable
attacking, critical fair, self-restrained
competitive (socially) cooperative
contrary, intractable, pigheadedreasonable
contradictory, oppositional| reasonable, agreeable
gossiping closed-mouth, kind, praising
ill-tempered good-tempered, calm
rude, discourteous polite, courteous
Irresponsible Prodigal Son; Luke 15:13; Proverbs 14:7; Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
apathetic interested, concerned, alert
careless careful, painstaking, concerned
irresponsible, reckless responsible
fantasizing, unrealistic practical, realistic
forgetful responsible
lack of purpose purposeful
lazy, indolent industrious, conscientious
procrastinates disciplined, acts promptly
undisciplined, self-indulgent disciplined
wasteful thrifty
Fearful 2 Timothy 1:7
apprehensive, afraid calm, courageous
avoidant faces problems and acts
cowardly brave
fearful confident, courageous
dependent accepts help but is self-reliant
indecisive,timid firm, decisive
shy outgoing
Dishonest
Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2 Corinthians 11: 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Judas
blocking honest intuitive
cheating honest
deceitful guileless honest
denying honest accepting.
dishonest3 honest
defensive open to criticism
falsely modest honest, has self-esteem
evasive, deceitful candid, straightforward
disloyal, treacherous faithful, loyal
insincere, hypocritical sincere, honest
masked, closed honest, open, candid
lying honest
manipulative candid, honest, non-controlling
rationalizing candid, honest
stealing honest
treacherous trustworthy
untrustworthy, unreliable, trustworthy
Lack of Self-Control
2 Peter 2:10; 2:18; 3:3;
compulsive free
dirty, poor hygiene clean
impulsive, reckless consistent, considered actions
gluttonous, excessive moderate
Judgmental
Romans 2:1-6
controlling lets go, esp. of other’s lives
critical non-judgmental, praising, tolerant
cynical open-minded
judgmental broadminded, tolerant
justifying (own actions) honest, frank, candid
projecting (negative) clear sighted, optimistic
Rebellious Saul: 1 Samuel 15:23; Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
defiant, contemptuous respectful
disobedient obedient
Selfish Absolom 2 Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 2 Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
faithless, disloyal reliable, faithful
disrespectful, insolent respectful, reverent
impatient patient
inconsiderate thoughtful, considerate
indifferent, apathetic, aloof caring
possessive open-minded
loud tasteful, quiet
self-centered caring of others
self-justifying admitting wrongs, humble
self-pitying grateful, realistic, accepting
self-righteous humble, understanding
self-seeking selfless, concerned for others
selfish altruistic, concerned with others
slothful (lazy) industrious, taking action
Hate
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 1 John 2:9-11.
hateful forgiving loving, concerned for others
resentful, bitter, hateful forgiving
sarcastic praising, tolerant
spiteful, malicious forgiving
unkind, mean, malicious, spitefulkind
unfriendly, hostile friendly
vulgar polite
vindictive forgiving
Weak
Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
enabling setting boundaries, tough love
depressed, morose hopeful, optimistic, cheerful
hypersensitive tolerant, doesn’t personalize
insecure, anxious self-confident, secure
isolating, solitary sociable, outgoing
over emotional emotionally stable
superstitious realistic, no magical thinking
tense calm, serene
Envious
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers
Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard
envying empathetic, generous, admiring
greedy moderate, generous, sharing
jealous trusting, generous, admiring
lustful healthy sexuality
Negative, Disbelieving
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Pessimistic realistic, hopeful, optimistic, trusting
resisting growing willing to grow
self-destructive, self-defeating self-fulfilling
self-hating self-accepting, loving
thinking negatively being positive
suspicious trusting
Various Flaws
nagging supportive
narrow minded open minded
obscene, crude modest, courteous
perfectionistic realistic goals
stubborn open-minded, willing
sullen cheerful
unfair fair
ungrateful thankful, grateful
unsupportive of others supportive
useless, destructive helpful
violent gentle
willful accepting of the inevitable
withdrawn outgoing
wordy, verbose frank, to the point, succinct
We are to go from glory to glory in living our life. God tries us as in the fire in order to bring out the best in us.
Here is the difference between worldly philosophy and psychology versus the purposes of God: The world seeks to identify our faults and failures so that we can understand ourselves and accept ourselves as we are. God reveals the flaws and faults in us so that we can address them and overcome them. Much, much more can be said about these imperfections in the Christian’s life, but it all comes down to this principle.
If you find that you are filled with character flaws, do not simply shrug your shoulders and excuse yourself. Apply the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost to your life so that you can grow into the image of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.