Character Traits for the Successful Christian

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

The following are ten foundational attributes of character that every child of God should develop in their Christian walk as found in God's Word (of course, these are things that every parent should teach their children in the home as they grow in stature):

1. Discernment/Wisdom - Prov. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
2. Obedience - Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
3. Self-discipline - 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
4. Orderliness/Neatness - 1 Cor. 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
5. Truthfulness - 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
6. Meekness - Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
7. Gratefulness - 1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
8. Attentiveness/Fervor - Rom. 12:11-12 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
9. Forgiveness - Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
10. Reverence - Eccl. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

(Adapted from an article by Dr. Manuel Salazar in the July 2007 issue of The Baptist Voice)