The Power of Change: What Trait Did You Choose?
Wisdom Quote
The word sophos (“wise”) may be used adjectivally to describe a quality possessed by a person or being, such as God (Rom. 16:27), or it may be used substantively to refer to that quality in the abstract (Jas. 3:13). In Matthew 23:34, the term represents a class of people sent by God to reveal His truth and is used alongside “prophets” and “scribes.”
Being wise is desirable only in the appropriate context—wisdom received from God or wise behavior that conforms to God’s revealed will. Paul strongly condemns the folly of what people call wisdom apart from God (Rom. 1:22; 1 Cor. 1:19–27). In keeping with the general sense of wisdom as skill, Paul describes his ministry metaphorically as the work of a “skilled (sophos) master builder” (1 Cor. 3:10).[1]
Insights: Which trait do you choose?
You are far more likely to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ if you choose one—and only one—area on which to focus your effort to change your character.
Have you identified a trait to work on? Does that trait still seem like the most important one for you to focus on right now? Have you tested your intuition with wise counsel from those who know you well? If you are married, what does your spouse think? What about a close friend? If you have adult children, consider asking one of them whether this is truly the most important trait for you to work on first, and whether you have identified it clearly and accurately.
In his excellent books on spiritual formation, Christian philosopher Dallas Willard uses the acronym VIM—vision, intention, and means—to explain how people build godly character. The process begins with vision and intention. Willard inspires me with his insight into the freedom of the human mind when he writes, “The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon.” You can choose where your mind dwells. To build your character, envision your destination.
James K. A. Smith frames the challenge this way: “What do you want? That’s the question. It is the first, last, and most fundamental question of Christian discipleship. In the Gospel of John, it is the first question Jesus poses to those who would follow him.” Do you truly want to build your character? The obvious answer is “Yes, of course.” But are you simply saying that reflexively, or are you serious? Do you genuinely love gratitude, generosity, graciousness—or whatever trait you envision developing in your life?
Change for the better requires intention. Robert Heinlein is often credited with the saying, “In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.” If you do not have a clear vision of where you are going, you will never arrive.
Clearly identify the single trait on which you will focus your effort to change.
[1] Nettelhorst, R. P. “Wisdom.” Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., 2014. Lexham Bible Reference Series.
