Keys to Develop Godly Character

I want to start today, brethren, by reading Revelation chapter 2 verse 26. Revelation chapter 2 verse 26.

And Revelation chapter 2 verse 26 we read, And he who overcomes and keeps my works until the end, to him will I give power over the nations.

Overcome what? Now let me ask you a question. I'm leaving that question hanging for a moment, so I'm going to come back to it. But I'm going to now ask you a different question. How many young people you have seen that are very bright, they've got great talent and ability, they have an excellent personality and can deal with people, they're very good in social interactions, and they've had excellent training, and they seem to be succeeding in their careers, and then they crash and they utter failure. How many have you seen? And what could have caused them to crash? Well, maybe they had a drinking problem, and one day that drinking problem became so big, it basically ties in with what we heard in the sermon that you're not recognizing that you're taking something for granted, you successfully got this talent, you got this ability, you take it for granted, but you're not overcoming this drinking problem, and then the drinking problem becomes so big that it just becomes a disaster. And then they can't control, this drinking problem becomes a drug problem. From a drug problem, they end up being a complete failure, and some of them may even commit suicide. How many have you seen that? Let me give you another example. How many a young man, for instance, have you seen as a successful family man? A wonderful wife, got lovely children, they're growing up, then he gets on to that age of the late 30s, early 40s, where they call it the midlife crisis, right? Get through that, what they call the midlife crisis, and then he starts looking around, and he gets involved in an affair with a woman. And look at all the problems that becomes to a point. The family breaks down, the children are impacted, he may lose his job, and that success that he had, a parent success, he just fails.

Why? Because he did not have the self-control to not do the wrong thing. The same thing for the one of drinking. He did not have the self-control to stop it and control. How many people that are successful, and they buy a house, they buy this, and they buy that, they buy a boat, or whatever it may be, and now these expenses start coming in, and well, we've managed this, so I'll buy something else. And next thing, they are over their head with debt, and what some of them, well, nobody will notice if I just take a little bit of money from my expense claims at work, and then that becomes bigger and bigger, basically is embezzling funds, and then when he's caught, disaster. You see, I just gave you three simple examples, but they all tie to the same thing, and indeed, ties to the sermonette in which they've sort of regarded what they've been given, and they've taken it for granted. But the problem is, they did a little bit wrong, they did a little bit wrong, they drank a bit, they drank a bit more, and they only got to a point where, bang, it just crashed. Really, what is the cause of this? Well, you and I could say, is lack of self-control. But really, in a bigger picture, it's lack of character, godly character. So what is character? Character is that moral and spiritual force, so it's that morality and that spiritual mental control that drives us, that motivates us to integrity. In other words, make sure that we are not led down the path of corruption. Let me define it a different way. Character is to know what is right and wrong. So yeah, this is right and this is wrong. So character is yes, it's to know, but that's not enough. Secondly, is to choose what is right. Oh, I'm gonna go this way. I'm gonna do what's right. I'm gonna choose. But third and even more important is to resist the desires to do the wrong. That self will, self control, why? Because this is the standard I want to keep and I'm gonna fight the desire to do wrong and I'm going to do what is right against any passion, desires, or whatever it is to do the wrong. There's a very interesting proverb that maybe we have not paid a lot of attention to and I want to go to it and this is Proverbs 16 verse 32. Proverbs 16 verse 32. Proverbs 16 verse 32. He who's slow to anger is better than the mighty. Now, in other words, if you control your emotions and you don't get angry, it's better than the mighty. It was having this self-control of your emotions, keeping it cool when things are just going wrong. That is very powerful.

And in parallel to that thought, the following thought is a parallel. This is like Hebrew poetry because he that rules the spirit, that means he that controls his anger, that controls his emotion, controls his spirit, controls his thinking. He that rules the spirit is better than he who takes the city, which you can see it's a parallel the first part of the second part. That's what you see that often in the book of Proverbs. That's poetry. That's Hebrew poetry. It's poetry in thought, not in rhyming. It's poetry in thought. So, he that rules his spirit is better than he who takes the city. Now, I have mentioned it before, and maybe you haven't picked it up, but I want to insert you in brackets. Many people, even ladies in the church, say, how can God prepare me to rule in the kingdom of God? I'm far from a ruler in the kingdom of God. I'm not a king. If you can rule your spirit, you're being trained to be a king.

The biggest preparation for you and I is to control our emotions, is to control our emotions when a situation crops up. That really kind of tickles your emotions, if that is the right word. If it really kind of gets you going, and you control and manage and rule your spirit. In other words, being slow to anger and listen, and you're both sides of the equation, and just discern it properly, and put it out in a way which is loving. This is the most precious thing that you and I, as human beings, need to learn to be rulers. That's what you expect out of a ruler, that he knows or she knows how to handle things and the pressure. So this Proverbs 1632, it's very pertinent to that.

So put it in another way.

We must learn to master ourselves. We must learn to master ourselves. Therefore, self-mastery comes first, and then, and then, the opportunity to lead and direct others follows as a result. You see, God is not going to give us a position of rulership. If you and I today are not learning to control ourselves, you know, whatever thing it is, you know what your weakness is. I know what my weakness is, and it's a good thing to look at this before Passover. So, in a sense, I'm giving this sermon because it's before Passover. It is a good thing for us to analyze ourselves. Are we becoming better people the way God wants us to be? In other words, are we developing more godly character? Godly, holy, righteous character.

You see, let's not forget what our goal is. Let's just look at a few scriptures. This is the goal for the apostles, but in a way, applies to us as well. So, Luke chapter 22, verse 29 and 30.

Luke 22, verse 29 and 30. So, the disciples were arguing, ah, which one of us is more important? We get involved into these little arguments. Why? Because we're not controlling our emotions. You remember James 4 says, why are there wars amongst yourselves? Because you have your own ideas and your own thoughts, and mine is better than yours, and you start and become emotional with it. And then James says, submit to God. James says, submit to God. So, yeah, we read in verse 29. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my father bestowed one upon me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. This is for the apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel, but for us, it's below them. But it's still positions of rulership. You read of parables. He that does this will rule over 10 cities, the other one will rule over five, and so on. We all need to develop. How do we develop? Proverbs 1632, by ruling our spirit. That's how we develop. Look at just one or two pages earlier in your own Bible in Luke 19 verse 17. Luke 19 verse 17.

And, and yeah, I was talking about you'll rule over five cities and 10 cities, etc. And, but it says, well done, good servant, because you were faithful in very little of authority over 10 cities. What is this little that we need to be faithful? And you could be draw by analogy many things, but under the context here, very little is controlling ourselves. It's controlling ourselves. And boy, oh boy, controlling ourselves is like taking a genie out of a bottle. You know, when, when our emotions get hot, you get this genie out of a bottle. You just say, whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down, George, calm down. I have a problem. I know, I admit. I, I am, I'm gentle. I'm hot-blooded. I gotta calm down. I gotta calm down. I gotta calm down.

That's the thing I've got to learn to practice. We all need to learn to practice, not just me, because it says in Revelation 5 and 10, we'll rule over the nations. We're not just talking about 12 tribes, we're talking about nations. So we got to become like God. Think about it. In the end, that's our goal, isn't it? To become like God. To be sons and daughters of God. To be perfect like He is. That's what it says. Therefore be you perfect as my Father in heaven, He's perfect. That's what we got to do. Let me just summarize what God's character is. Very simply, let me ask you, has God got a problem with choosing the right from the wrong? Of course not, right? Does God choose the right always? Of course He does.

And does He always want to do what is right? Yes. Why? Because He says God cannot be tempted by evil. So God has perfect character. What you and I need to be is like Him.

So what are some or which are some of the keys for you and I to develop Godly character? Now today I'm only going to approach three. Now you could have 20, but if I started enumerating 20 to you, we'd walk out of YAH and you'd remember none. So I'm just going to focus on three. Simple, basic that you can easily remember. And I'm going to start through your year from me many a times. You heard from me many a times that I've said and some of you have given sermons and sermonettes about the same thing. Satan's problem was lack of humility. I even made a reference just now when I talk why there was amongst you and it says because you want your own way and then it says in James 4, the letter says submit to God.

That was Satan's problem and that is how he's going to stir your emotions up when there is an opportunity. Just a tiny gap. I'll give an example. You want to do things slightly different and as you want to do things slightly different, then you bring this little different concept and as you bring this little different concept, you find a little resistance.

That's exactly what Satan wants. A little resistance, whatever it may be. And we've seen that with COVID. Vaccines are not vaccines, masks are no masks and whatever it is. And in the end, it's been amplified to become a source of division. That's what Satan wants. He wants to take any little thing, create division. You know what? He's a master architect of deception, which means, well, this person's got a point but he's going to deceive it a little bit to make it and the other person's got a point but he's going to deceive it to make it. And next thing, you've got two huge opposing views and you got division. That's his... he's got a master degree in deception. You know, if you could get a Gertrude University, get a master's degree and say, I am the greatest deceiver in the world. Well, that's him. Turn with me to Proverbs 11 verse 2. Proverbs 11 verse 2.

Proverbs 11 verse 2.

When pride comes, then comes shame. Yeah, because when there's division, there's whatever, and somebody's going to be ashamed, there's going to be an argument, and then you say something that you shouldn't have said, and then you've got to apologize, and the badufta hanbo is wisdom. I gave a sermon some time ago. I don't know if I've given a Gia or not. I'm sure I have, but anyway, we're talking about mikmis and talking about the mikness of wisdom. Mikmis is a combination of humility and gentleness and being teachable and malleable. When your wisdom is tempered with this attitude of humility and gentleness and teachability and moldability, that makes wisdom really godly wisdom. In fact, if you go back to James, it talks about that just before it says, why are there wars amongst you? Because that in James 3, at the end of James 3 and in James 4, verse 1, it says, why are there wars amongst you? Because before that, it gives the answer. It's the mikness of wisdom. And it says, if you have the mikness of wisdom, you have peace, you'll have unity, you'll have all the fruits of God. But if you don't have mikness in your great wisdom, you're going to have factions and division. And in fact, that's often saying, be careful with your tongue. Because tongue is what you need to use to control those emotions. You've got to be careful with how you use your tongue. So you can see the trend, the eye in James starts, be careful of your tongue, then be careful that that you are mik in your wisdom, in your great knowledge. And it says, why are there wars amongst yourself? Because you want to have the things that you want your own way. And he's talking to members in the church. And then he says, submit yourselves to one another, submit to God. So when pride comes, comes division. You look at Christ, for instance. When Christ talked to the Pharisees, a chapter which sticks in your mind, like any other when he talked to the Pharisees, is Matthew 23. When he talked to the Pharisees, he says, you guys are a bunch of hypocrites. You are a bunch of hypocrites. You always look for the place to be the prominent place. You want to be in front of everybody. You want to be the leader. You want to be in charge. You want to be this. You want to be seen. You want to fast in a way that people can see that you're fasting. You're looking for self-image, self-aggrandizement. And then he says in Matthew 23 verse 12, let's look at Matthew 23 verse 12. Matthew 23 verse 12, he says, And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

We have to humble ourselves.

Humble ourselves to what? We have to humble ourselves by surrendering our self-will to God's will. That's why it says in Matthew 6 verse 9 and 10, which is the Lord's prayer, that thy will be done. You remember our Christ was just about being crucified, but before, and he prayed, and he was under a big stress. You read that in Luke 22, round about verse 42 and others, that he says, if there's a way, Father, to take this away from me, let it be so, but not my will, but thy will be done. That's humility. That is surrender your self-will to God's will. That is very clearly evidence in Philippians chapter 2, which by the way is one of my favorite scriptures, and you probably heard me many times referring to it. In Philippians chapter 2, starting in verse 5, it says, let this mind be in you. That's this mindset, this feeling, this attitude, this spirit being you, which was also in Christ Jesus, because Christ was in the form of God. He was of the God-kind, and it did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. It did not consider it to be identity theft, to be equal with God, but he made himself of no reputation. It was humbled, becoming a human being. And it says, then he humbled himself further, says in verse 8, to actually die for us. So the first point of the first key of having godly character, it's kind of the foundation, is that we've got to submit our will to God's will. It's not me, it's God. It's God. How many times you and I pray to God for something, and it doesn't happen. And you're frustrated. Well, is it, why am I praying? God doesn't listen to me. Well, is it my will? Is it God's will? Did God hear Christ's prayer when he said, well, if it's possible, let us cap us away, pointing obviously the cap to the symbolism of the possible that we are just instituted, which is his blood, which is his death. Let us cap go away. But not in my will, but God's will. He realized that his prayer might not be answered.

Sometimes we don't understand God's mind. We only see by these things, and God, this makes logical, therefore I want this. And God, if you don't do that, I don't believe that God exists. How many people have left the church, have left the faith, because their prayers maybe were not answered.

But if you surrender your will to God's will, you recognize that your mind and my mind does not see things the way God sees.

So that is the first thing we've got to submit to God's will. Now, the second key is we've got to know what is right and choose what is right.

Now, you and I know, we've read often, Deuteronomy 30 and others, that God created us with free moral agents, but He told us, choose life. Choose what is right. I set before you life and death. Choose life. And it says, if we aren't good, that you may live long. That's in Deuteronomy 30, around about 15 through 20. Choose life. Also in Deuteronomy, it says, I'm giving you the slow. Deuteronomy says, I'm giving you the slow and follow carefully what I've told you. Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 1 through 2. And then even then Deuteronomy 4, and let's look at that one in verse 10, because Yah is another thing about choosing the right way. In Deuteronomy 4 verse 10, because it's talking about, go and teach your children this, and teach your children and your grandchildren. So yes, we have a responsibility to teach our children.

And then in verse 10 says, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb in Sinai, when the Lord said to me, gather the people to me and I'll let them hear my words, that they may what? That they may learn to fear me all the days they live on the earth. You see, we've got to do what's right, because that will achieve the right outcome in the long term. It may not appear to be the right outcome today or tomorrow, but in the long term will be the right outcome, and you and I choose the right because we respect God. We believe God. Like I think last week somebody said, we don't just believe in God, but we believe God. That is such an important concept. We believe God. We trust God. And therefore, He's given us a way that will be good for us. And therefore, we submit to Him, and we choose that way because we fear Him. We trust Him. We respect Him. And then it goes on and then and Deuteronomy 6 says, and these things will be assigned to you. It will be in between your eyes and in your hand. You see that in Deuteronomy 6 verse 6 through 8. And why? Because you are thinking about God's ways, and when you're tempted and when you have these things that pull you to go the wrong way, your mind is focused. It says, no, I trust God. I know there's this pressure. I know there's this desire. I know that this is the spool, but I'm not gonna do it. So you're going to use that as a basis, that respect for God, that knowledge of God, what God is saying. And you're going to use that as a foundation to the next third step, which I'll mention a little later in more detail. But the next step, let me tell you now upfront, is to have the self-determination and the self-control to do what you know is right. Those are the three points that I mentioned to you today. You've got to submit to God, you've got to choose what's right, and you've got to have the self-control determination that you're gonna do what's right. So going back to where we are, Deuteronomy 6 says God's way is assigned to you in your mind, in your hand, which represents what you do. So what do you practice? So this is all tied to the fear of God. It's the respect to what God's giving us. Turn with me to Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10. Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10. Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The respect for God and for His ways and for His instructions and for what He tells us is right. It's the beginning of wisdom that is based on submitting to His will, trusting Him, and it will give us success in life. Remember the examples I mentioned in the beginning? The young man that drank, he knew it was wrong to drink, but he did not submit to God's will, he did not choose what was right, and he did not have the courage and self-determination to what was right, and so he ended up and became a failure. So even though he was a wise man, whatever it is, that wisdom valued nothing. And so with the other three examples that I mentioned, the one that embezzled funds and the one that had an affair, whatever it is, whatever other example may be, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and that's a respect for God's ways. But you see, the problem is that in you and I, you and I, we think we know it better. Well, in the sermon that we heard the example of Samson, he thought you knew better. I mean, everything has been going well. I'm going to disregard what God says because it always worked well. So you know, you and I think we know it better. And that ties in with Proverbs 14 verse 12. Proverbs 14 verse 12, which says, there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Oh, you and I think I know it better. I know better than what God knows. Is that humility? You know, if you think you know it better, I know better. Now, when you get involved in an emotional argument, do you technically go through in your mind says, I'm arrogant, I'm not humble, and I think I know better than what God is, therefore I'm going to create this argument. Well, that probably doesn't even cross your mind, but you can see the root there. You see, so that's why we have to be so careful because our minds are deceitful. Our hearts are deceitful about all things. We don't see it. And this is why I'm saying, brethren, this is applicable particularly to us now before Passover. We need to think about that. We really need to think about this. Because, yeah, maybe we don't break the Sabbath. Yeah, maybe we don't lie. Yeah, maybe we don't do a lot of the other things. But what about the subtle things of ruling our spirit? That is where the little specks of leaven are still there to be changed.

You see, you and I need to recognize our weaknesses, and we need to go to God and say, God, I am frail. I have this problem. Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 12.

Verse 9.

Paul had a weakness. He had what it's called a thorn in the flesh. He had a problem. Maybe it was a health issue. I believe it very well probably was. But quite often in the Bible, there's duality. And the thorn in the flesh might have been some people that were always going at him to say, for instance, you've got to keep the ceremonial law.

And he had this thorn in the flesh and he says, please take these people. Or this person is always, wherever I go, they follow me and they create this thing and incite the brethren around it. And it's kind of, this is a thorn in my flesh. You see, so that could be it as well. Whatever. The point is, he realized he had certain things to overcome. And he asked God, please help me through this. And God said, my grace is sufficient for you in verse 9.

For my strength is made perfect in weaknesses. You know, God allows certain difficulties, certain stresses, certain challenges in our life. Why? Because that makes us better people. God allowed trials with Job. Why? Because that made him a better man. Yeah, you and I can't see this, what's wrong with me. I quite often can't see. Now I'm starting to realize, it took me 40 years in the church.

Now I'm realizing, hey, I've got to control my emotions. But 30 years ago, I never saw that as a problem. You see, God doesn't show us everything in day one. He kind of shows us slowly, and a few little more, a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more. If we'd seen everything in day one, we'd have given up because he says, I'll never make that. Goodbye. We'd have given up. But God, in his mercy, is showing us slowly, a bit at a time.

And we are overcoming slowly. And we are overcoming slowly. We have to recognize our weaknesses. In fact, the whole creation is subject to what the Bible calls it, vanity. You read that in Romans 8 verse 20. It says, the whole creation, the whole world is subject to vanity in the hope. And it says, of the revealing of the sons of God. There's such deep meaning into that. I don't have time to cover it today, but it just basically is.

There is so much in there. The whole world is subject to this vanity. Why? Even us, of God's Holy Spirit, you read that in Romans 8 verse 20 to 20. He says, even us that have God's Holy Spirit, we have little flaws. Why? For us to learn to become better, for us to recognize our own mistakes, like it says in Jeremiah 10, verse 23 and 24. Lord, show me what is wrong with me, but with justice. In other words, in merciful kindness, don't show me everything at the same time.

So yeah, we need to learn. And you see, when you read Paul in Romans, when in Romans 8 he says, you know, the whole creation is subject to vanity. He starts that early on, towards the end of chapter 7, saying, hey, there's a law in me that I want to do what's right, but I do what's wrong. Remember that? And then he says, this is in me. There's this tendency in me by having these passions and this hot blood and getting emotional, get upset and start shouting.

That's in me. And Paul says, there's a law in me. There's a tendency in me, a natural thing in me, that leads me the wrong way, and I've got to overcome it. And then he says, who will deliver me from this body of death? But thanks to Christ, that we will be brought back and redeemed. And then he says, and that's because through the power of his Spirit, that then we will then be changed. Brethren, you and I are not tempted by God, says in James 1 verse 12 through 15, says, God tempts no one. You are not tempted by God. We are tempted by our own lusts and desires.

But God allows us to help us to become better people. So that, as we read in Proverbs, he says, he that rules his Spirit is better than rules the city. So we need to learn to rule our Spirit. We need to learn to rule our emotions, to be able to be leaders in the world tomorrow. That is our training ground.

That is our training ground. You see, Jesus was tempted like we are in all things. You read that in Hebrews 4, 14 and 15. Jesus was tempted in all things like you and I, but he never sinned.

And so, getting now to my third point, what is the difference? Is that exercise of self-determination, of self-control, that I will not do wrong. I am going to control my emotions or whatever it is. I am going to control my thoughts. And whenever you are in this battle, you get, fight it, fight it, and come out of it as an overcomer. Because if you succumb now, you're going to have to start from scratch again next time.

Brethren, I'm not talking down at you, please. Because I'm like you. I'm a human being. I have to overcome like you. We all have. So please, I hope I'm not coming across as a self-righteous one because I'm not. I'm just talking to myself as I'm talking to you. We all have to overcome. We all have to overcome. We all need self-control. And you know what? Self-control is one of the attributes or characteristics of God's Holy Spirit. Read that the fruit of God's Holy Spirit in Galatians 5 includes a number of characteristics. You see, just because, oh, I'm loving doesn't mean that's God's Holy Spirit. Just because you have peace does not mean that's God's Holy Spirit. Just because you're kind does not mean that's God's Holy Spirit. Just because you're good doesn't mean it's God's Holy Spirit. There's a lot of good people out there. Yes, they are. And yes, I take my hat off to the good deeds they do. And yes, they'll be rewarded according to their deeds. Yes, but the fruit of God's Holy Spirit, as you read in Galatians 5 verse 22, is all these nine components. It's love, it's joy, it's peace, it's long suffering, which is patience, which is kindness, which is goodness, which is faithfulness, which is gentleness or meekness, and it's self-control.

In fact, if you read them in reverse, it's like a building block of growth, because you start with self-control, and then with gentleness, and then being faithful to it, and then you're being good in applying it, and kind, and being patient, and having peace and joy, and kind of at the top of the pillar is love. It's like you and I need to start from self-control. So that is part of the power of God's Holy Spirit. You read Paul to Timothy said, God has not given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and of a sound mind. What is a sound mind? Is a mind that is balanced, that is, has self-control. That's what it is, and it's one of power. And then we read for instance in 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 19, which was also mentioned in the sermon, if I remember correctly, says, don't quench the spirit. Why? Because God's spirit, the way I look at it, it's like God's spirit pricks your conscience. You know, it's God's spirit pricks your conscience. It pricks mind, and it says, George, don't do that, or don't think on that.

Now, do I quench that, or do I make it further alive, you know, make it stronger, make it a real fire, says, I'm not going to do that, I'm going to put that away.

You see, because God's Holy Spirit will never dominate you or possess you. That's demonism. God's Holy Spirit leads you. There's a big difference between leading and dominating over you, bossing over you. God's Holy Spirit leads, which says, this is the way, walk in it, but it's your choice to walk in it or not.

You read that in Romans 8.14. Let's look at it, because it's an important, basic scripture. Romans 8 verse 14.

It says, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. Yeah, God's Holy Spirit leads us, but you voluntarily submit to it. It's like a husband and wife relationship.

Remember Ephesians 5, husband-wife relationship, the husband is the head, and the woman submits to the head. And what a lot of men say, therefore you're going to submit to me.

That's not being a leader. That's being a dominating authority. And it says, those that want to be a leader amongst you, be a servant. And Christ was a servant and died for us. We are to die for our lives. So we lead how? By being an example, by showing this is the way. The other person then willingly follows it, because he's such a loving husband, he only wants the best for me. I only want to submit to him. There's a big difference. Leading versus dominating. Demons possess people, dominate people against their will. God's Holy Spirit never does that. God leads us, which is a gentle, soft voice. How is it soft? By preaching our consciousness. And it's then up to us to have the self-control with the help of God's Holy Spirit to do it. And who does God give his Spirit? God gives his Spirit to those that obey his laws. Acts 5 verse 32. God gives his Spirit to those that obey God's laws. So as you obey God's laws, God gives you more of his Spirit. More of his Spirit is around you. And as you obey more, more of his Spirit is around you. Am I talking about baptism? No!

Can God's Holy Spirit work with you and being around you and work with you before you're baptized? Yes! So as you obey God, even though you're not baptized, even though you have not, you do not yet have God's Holy Spirit in you, you have God's Holy Spirit with you. And God's Holy Spirit works with you. That's how it works with our young children. God's Holy Spirit can be with you and guide you even before you're baptized. Even there are people in the world that God is working with them. They're not baptized yet, but as they obey God and they please God, they'll be rewarded according to their works. You see, God can be with us. One scripture that is important is John 14 verse 17. John 14 verse 17. It's Christ talking to the apostles before the day of Pentecost. That was on the night after he changed the symbols of the New Covenant apostle. However, in John 14 verse 17 he says, and the Spirit of truth that is God's Spirit, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him, for he dwells with you. For God's Holy Spirit dwells with you. So God's Holy Spirit can dwell with people, even though they're not baptized yet. And once they're baptized, God's Holy Spirit is also in them. Also is not instead of, is also in addition in them. How? Because they are begotten now by the Holy Spirit. They're now a begotten child of God. In other words, they now become children of God, even though not yet born. So that's a whole different subject. So I'm not going into that. So what we have is we have God's Holy Spirit working with us. So even if we're not in the church yet, and even if you're not baptized yet, you can exercise self-determination, and you can exercise self-control, and you can ask God for help, and he will give it to you.

Because God is the God of love.

This is the love of God that you keep his commandments. 1 John 5 verse 3. You will have perfect love if you'll do my commandments. 1 John 1 verse 5 and 6. 1 John 4 verse 8. God is love. And John 1335, Christ said, you are my disciples if you love one another as I've loved you. So God's Spirit is God's mind in us, which is a mind of love, and God's love does not hurt other people. And so that's why his laws and his principles are for our good. And therefore, we have to trust him, and therefore we have to humble ourselves to him. Why? So that we become all like God, which is love. And that is developing the character of God. And those brethren, in summary, are the three points I wanted to mention to you. And that is, we have to have God's kind of character. We have to submit to God's will, not our own self-will. We have to choose the right, the truth, the truth, speak you the truth. And three, we have to exercise self-control and character, using God's Holy Spirit to do what's right, to do what's loving. And so speak the truth in love. And that is the direction that the Church is trying to now focus on all of us, speak the truth in love. That ties in. We need to be humble. We need to put God first. We've got to choose that. And we've got to have the determination, the self-will, to do it. How? In a loving manner. In a loving manner. And that, brethren, are the key, the major keys that you and I need to develop Godly, Holy, righteous covenant.