What Is Proven Character?

And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. (Romans 5:3-4 CSB)

In the last two devotions, we have learned about boasting in our tribulations and that tribulation builds endurance. But that isn’t all this passage says. It also tells us that endurance produces proven character. What is proven character?

Before we dig into what proven character is, I want to remind us we are God’s workmanship. God is always developing us, making us be more and more like Him. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship…” As a Christian, we can’t say, “I am a self-made man or woman.” There is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Each of us is being developed and molded by someone – either it is God or it is the devil. A harsh thought, but true. As God’s workmanship, He is developing and molding us to be like Him.

If we allow God to develop us, we can come out of tribulation a better Christian, which brings us to the question, “What is proven character?”

To help answer this, let’s turn to a similar passage the Apostle James wrote.

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4 CSB)

James tells us that the full effect of endurance is that we may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. Therefore, proven character means we are mature and complete. It also means we lack nothing we need to succeed in our spiritual and physical life. (see also 2 Peter 1:3)

Concerning proven character, the Apostle Peter tells us, “You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may cause praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 CSB)

So, what is proven character? It is a mature and complete faith. Mature and complete faith is in the heart of a Christian with proven character. Tribulations, testing, and trials have tried their faith, and they have stood strong through them all. This is a Christian that knows who he or she is IN Christ, what he or she has THROUGH Christ, and what he or she can do WITH Christ.

When going through tribulation, don’t cry and moan about it. Instead, stand strong in faith during tribulation, allowing your character to be proved as mature and complete. The Body of Christ needs more mature and complete Christians with proven character. Choose to be one.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for being with me when I go through tribulation, testing, and trial. I am asking you to teach and guide me through them. Show me how to use my faith to come out the other side a Christian of proven character. Holy Spirit, I permit you to stop me when I don’t stand strong and to guide me on the right path through tribulation. Cleanse my faith of any impurities making it so I lack nothing. I thank you and praise you during tribulation. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Additional Scriptures

Hebrews 11:3; Romans 15:4; 2 Corinthians 1:4-6; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Joshua 10:24-25; Psalm 71:14

For more information about tribulation, see my other two devotions:

The Result of Tribulation andWe Boast in Tribulation