LEADERS WITH STRONG CHARACTER have power, dignity, and integrity. Christian character is built around the divine cardinal virtues. Character develops when the mind and heart instruct the will in accepting these controlling virtues, out of which come Christlike values and actions.

Divine virtues are the roots from which such values grow. The virtues are the principles. The values produce techniques, the modus operandi.

Where the virtues are perverted by Satan, the character is evil. It may be strong or weak, but it is destructive. In this chapter, I will deal mainly with the development and evidence of good character—the foundation on which to build a life of respect and worth.

Fortunately our character can be strong without being perfect. Christ alone had perfect character. David, the man after God's own heart, had faults. Peter, the disciple of Jesus, could be fickle. Moses, strong-willed and yet afraid. Abraham could lie. Bold Elijah became scared. These, and many others in Scripture, had ...