Obedience to God's moral laws brings rich rewards in developing godly character. After choosing to follow God, He begins forming each of us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. By turning aside from evil, making choices to follow God, and cleaving to Him in times of trouble, our lives and character become enriched beyond what we could achieve alone. God has called us personally, teaching us to build our lives on the Rock, bestowing a great responsibility to walk worthy of His name through obedience and reflecting His character in every activity. Godly character is not innate but must be acquired over a lifetime of learning and experience. Our transformation from the old to the new is a collaborative work with God, where our choices to follow His lead become part of His creative efforts. When we practice what we know to be true, we become more like Him. Sin opposes the creation of godly character, but good habits leading to virtuous behavior are contagious. God has given us control over our conduct and a responsibility to choose actions that build godly character, reflecting His good name and impacting each other as one body. Our character, whether good or bad, is who we are in God's estimation, an accurate picture known by Him. It is within our keeping to maintain and grow more Christ-like, though human nature resists the change God requires. Bending our will toward God is essential to His creative process and our future. Changes, both substantial and small, in behaviors like temperance, honesty, patience, and charity, grow over time into the fabric of our character, forming a significant part of the conversion process. God reveals the standard for character within our relationship with Him and His Son, transforming the way we think through His Spirit and Word. As we accept His laws and standards, His way of life grows within us, fostering a desire to please Him and act acceptably before Him. The love of God takes root in our hearts, and if we follow through, godly character begins and continues to grow. God's revelation of His character to Moses, showing His glory in His goodness and names, describes His holy and righteous nature, which we should reflect in our approach and attitude before Him. God's purpose for us stands firm, implanting within each of His children the riches of His holy character. Our duty is to listen to Him, from whom flows wisdom, grace, and virtues needed to transform into the image of Jesus Christ. Aligning with God's character is paramount in preparing for His Kingdom. Though change can be difficult, clinging to God ensures He will lead us in the right direction, so that when He calls His people, He will find us because we are like Him and He knows us.

It is essential for character growth to discipline our thoughts, setting them on admirable and commendable things, those excellent things of God that define a distinctive standard of character for living a praiseworthy life of moral excellence and obedience to Him. A common word used to describe moral excellence is virtue, defined as general moral goodness, right action and thinking, uprightness, rectitude, and morality. God defines His saints as the excellent ones, in whom is all His delight. The Bible portrays virtue through various terms that indicate a gold standard of excellence, something all should aspire to and revere. It lists specific virtues such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, revealing the virtuous mind and nature of our Creator. Displaying these virtues glorifies Him and separates us from a morally unhealthy world. Additional virtues like righteousness and godliness are also encouraged, further defining moral excellence. Discipline is a virtue God desires us to develop. We are urged to focus our thoughts on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, meditating on anything virtuous and praiseworthy. A mind disciplined with noble thoughts enables concentration on God's very nature, empowering the good fruit of Christian virtue to be produced. Through this discipline, God supplies all needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Fasting serves as a powerful spiritual exercise that builds character by strengthening the inner man. Though it deprives the physical body, a proper fast adds conviction and depth to the spiritual self. Strengthening this inner man demands intense effort, as struggle and effort are vital parts of the conversion and maturity process. God has designed humanity with the capacity to sin, yet coupled with the determination to resist temptation, this struggle becomes a spiritual exercise that matures and perfects character over time. The continuous struggle against the pulls of the flesh is a life-and-death battle, where self-control emerges as the most challenging spiritual characteristic to attain. God allows this struggle deliberately, knowing that resisting corruption builds the character necessary for His Family. Fasting, as a vigorous spiritual exercise, involves a personal fight against the intense temptations amplified by satan the devil. It actively affirms to God a choice for a spiritual future over a physio-chemical existence, compelling a cry for both physical endurance and spiritual strength to overcome temptation. Building godly character mirrors the process of building physical muscle, where resistance against the downward pulls of human nature strengthens the inner man. Fasting depicts tearing down old, enslaving habit patterns before building the good, requiring a period of submission to God for spiritual regeneration. Through fasting, one becomes a full partner with God in developing spirituality, taking a firm stand against fleshly pulls and against satan, while God replaces carnal tendencies with His Holy Spirit. This combined effort builds holy character as long as the process continues. Fasting, as exemplified by Jesus Christ in His 40-day fast, prepares one for confrontation with evil, placing the fleshly appetites under control. It is a tool to resist evil and do good, necessary in the spiritual wrestling match against familiar spirits. A regular program of fasting and prayer draws one close to God, providing the strength to resist satan's way and grow in God's image.