1. The Church of God of Prophecy
“The Quest for Holiness”
Bible Study Lesson #4:
“In the Pursuit of the Holy God:”
“Develop Godly Character: Live Holy”
Sept. 25, 2013

2. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 In order to develop a Godly Character so that we
may live a Holy Life:
1. We must learn to work with God
2. Accept His grace in our lives
3. Release the same grace to others
 Let us look to Psalms 1:1-6: NKJV
1. Blessed is the man…
Who walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

3. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Psalms 1:1-6: (NKJV)
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in
His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of
waters, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever
he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff
which the wind drives away.

4. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Psalms 1:1-6: (NKJV)
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in
the judgment, Nor sinners in the
congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the
righteous, But the way of the ungodly
shall perish.

5. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 What are some examples of evil influences we
should avoid?
a. Temptation to engage in sex (Gen. 7-12)
b. Sitting in the assembly of evildoers. ( Psalms 26:5)
c. Being the companion of fools…(Proverbs 13:20)
d. Do not worry (Matt. 6: 25-27)

6. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 What are some examples of evil influences we
should avoid?
e. Making provisions to fulfill the lusts of the flesh
(Romans 13:14)
f. Bad company corrupt good morals. (I Cor. 15:33)
g. Walking in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and abominable
idolatries (1 Peter 4: 3-4)

7. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 In short: All the temptations and evil influences of
the sinful nature should be avoided.
 Does that mean we are to avoid the unsaved?
a. We are not to allow sinful individuals or
situations to pull us down↓
b. We must shine the light of truth on the
things that are wrong.
c. We are to be a light to our friends in
darkness.

8. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Let us read “Illustrating Matters: Resist the Crowd”p.
24, Adult Lesson.
What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he
escapes the web only to end up in the glue?
 There is a constant message conveyed throughout
the Church: “Avoid the Crowd. Do not follow the
Way of the World.” Why is this constantly cited?
Answer: We are surrounded by evil influences: T.V.,
cell phones, billboards, and the Internet!

9. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Being bombarded by All the distractions and evil
influences everywhere, We have become desensitized to
the evil around us.
 Therefore, we must allow God to Reshape our Hearts!
 Matthew 5: 3-12 (NKJV) contains God’s plan for the
reshaping of our hearts:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven,
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted.

10. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Matthew 5: 3-12 (NKJV) contains God’s plan for the
reshaping of our hearts:
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy.

11. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Matthew 5: 3-12 (NKJV) contains God’s plan for the
reshaping of our hearts:
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see
God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.

12. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Matthew 5: 3-12 (NKJV) contains God’s plan for the
reshaping of our hearts:
11 Blessed are you when they revile and
persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is
your reward in heaven, for so they
persecuted the prophets who were before
you.

13. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 The “True Composition of the Heart”
 The “Heart” as presented in the Word of God, is
the “place of conscious and decisive spiritual
activity.” It is the all-inclusive expression for a
person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions,
thoughts, understanding, and will.”
 It is the “center of a person, the place to which God
turns.” *
 * J. Stowell, Fan the Flame, Quest for Holiness, Adult Lesson, p. 25

14. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Therefore: We must allow God’s full access into our
lives so that our Hearts may be Reshaped.
 God does not want just our “lip service.” He desires
our “Heart Service” in order to purify, to mold, and
reshape our hearts completely.
 By God’s grace we are given a tabula rasta- a clean
slate; with a new attitude and mindset.
 When we are totally surrendered to God, He can
renew and reshape our hearts so that we can be
used for His Glory!
* J. Stowell, Fan the Flame, Adult Lesson, p. 25

15. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 In Psalms 51: 10 King David cries:
 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (NKJV)
 In order to really receive the reshaping and remolding
of our hearts we must surrender ALL so that we can
continue in the Middle of the Sanctifying cleansing
stream on our Quest for Holiness.

16. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 We, as Christians, are able to escape the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires as found:
 In 2 Peter 1: 2-11, we are advised that we are able to escape the
corruption in the world which is caused by evil desires because
God’s power has given us everything we need for life and
godliness through our knowledge of Him.*
 In verses 10-11: the believer is admonished to be “even more
diligent to make your call and election sure for if you do these
things you will never stumble. 11 For so an entrance will be
supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
* Quest for Holiness, Adult Lesson 4: “Develop Godly Character: Live Holy,”p.25

17. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy

Verses 5-9 gives us a series of Godly qualities that build on one
another:
Faith
↓
Goodness
↓
Knowledge
↓
Self-Control
↓
Perseverance
↓
Godliness
↓
Brotherly Kindness
↓
Love

18. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Our faith in Christ is our starting point!
 As we grow in Christ we add these Godly
Characteristics one by one.
 You cannot have one without the others. They are a
cohesive unit to fortify us for Holy living.
 REMEMBER:
o We never stop growing in the Lord.
o We never reach the pinnacle of the Christian Life
here on this earth.
o There is no finish line for holiness or sanctification
while we are traveling in this life.

19. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
REMEMBER:
 We must learn everyday to Love More, to Persevere
More, and to Be More Self-Controlled.
 We must continually have more of God and less
of self.
 We can never stop maturing and growing.
 We must continue to grow closer to God.
 We will fail if we do not grow closer to God. *
* Quest for Holiness, Adult Lesson 4: “Develop Godly Character: Live Holy,”p.26

20. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
 Today is another day for growth. Yesterday means
little today.
 Today is another day for growth, and if we do not
grow today, we have failed.
 This is the journey of holiness.
 This is a holy life.
 This is the Quest for Holiness: ↓ *
* Quest for Holiness, Adult Lesson 4: “Develop Godly Character: Live Holy,”p.26

21. Developing a Godly Character to Live Holy
The Quest for Holiness does not have an end:
 We will fall further away if we don’t move closer
to God.
 We must continue to mature and grow in Christ.
 It is a continuous every day journey.
 We must continue to become holy.
 We must strive to be more like GOD everyday.
 TODAY is the DAY for US to Draw Closer to God. *
* Quest for Holiness, Adult Lesson 4: “Develop Godly Character: Live Holy,”p.26