Character is not only taught; it's caught.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

By Shane Idleman
 
"IT'S ALMOST TOO LATE" jumped from the pages as I read an article by noted author and speaker, Josh McDowell. He stated that the reason so many young people are losing ground in the area of spiritual truth is because their parents are not involved in teaching them in word or action. He continued, "One of the most common questions I get is, 'How could we live for Christ, when we don't want the Christ that our parents have?'" Wow, that should force us all to ask, "Who am I influencing, and who's influencing me?"
 
When the deterioration of the family is coming from within the same walls that were designed to protect it, it's time for change. "What does this have to do with me?" you may ask. A great deal. If you are a parent, or plan to be one, your greatest investment will be in your children-period! Your goal may be to own a business, climb the corporate ladder, or pursue a profession; whatever you choose, there is no greater opportunity than to promote the spiritual success of another, especially your child's. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Character is not only taught; it's caught. It's demonstrated through the lives of parents.
 
The biggest danger to our families is not false religion, secularism, or even atheism, but compromise; it has always been a tool of the enemy. When compromise occurs, we can have church growth but no depth; numbers, but no character; enormous buildings, but small hearts. We "play" Christian, but have the tendency to compromise everything that Christ stood for. We have riches, wealth, and prosperity, but neglect the weightier matters-love, mercy, and forgiveness. When compromise reigns, we can easily become insensitive, indifferent, ineffective, unforgiving, unloving, unmoved, and self-righteous. "Where does Christianity destroy itself in a given generation? It destroys itself by not living in the light, by professing a truth it does not obey" (Tozer).
 
As a child, I was captured by the stories that my grandfather told about life on the farm in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. The images I've held are not those of pleasant surroundings and ideal conditions; they are impressions of twelve-hour days spent working the land, dust storms that could devastate a crop, blistered and sunburned skin, and poverty unlike most Americans know today. Life, in general, was harder then, but interestingly enough, character seemed much stronger-it was a time when commitment, integrity, and honesty stood in place of contracts, disclosures, and bylaws. A handshake and a man's word were generally good enough. I'm not suggesting that we return to that time in history, but that we learn from the past and strongly encourage those same character traits today. As they say, "The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true; but I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do. For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give, but there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live." Character matters!
 
A significant portion of this excerpt was taken from, One Nation 'Above' God, © 2008 by El Paseo Publications (www.OneNationAboveGod.com). In this explosive new book, Shane calls the nation, families, and individuals back to the biblical principles that inspired "one nation under God." His bold stance has led to speaking engagements throughout the country. Shane currently resides in Southern California with his wife and children. He can be reached at shaneidleman@roadrunner.com.