Posts Tagged: Working hard on character development

“Who’s on your Kill List?”

On April 7, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

Let me begin by setting your mind at ease. No, I am not taking up running a contract killer service in my retirement.

During an accountability check-in this morning, we were talking about how to become better men. One of the guys is highly athletic and very insightful. He said that, no matter what sport he is participating in, he has a kill list—a list of people who are slightly better at some aspect of the sport than he is trying to master. He tries to learn from them and then work harder than they do. Eventually, he becomes better at that aspect of the game than they are. Then he checks them off his kill list.

One of the other guys in the group thought that this approach was a bit too competitive. After all, building character means cooperating with others too. This friend made a good point: Why not ask what is on your kill list, rather than who?

Actually, I think that both of my friends are right. Perhaps the expression “kill list” is a little over-the-top, but then that is my friend’s style. If he weren’t over-the-top, he wouldn’t be J.

The Bible speaks of emulating those who live well. These are by no means the only two passages that speak in this way, but let them help you draw up your own kill list.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, English Standard Version)

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20, English Standard Version)

Wisdom and faith: those two things seem like a good place to start with your kill list. Anytime you experience some good quality in another person, make it your goal to imitate that person and work even harder than they do.

I am not suggesting a holier-than-thou approach to life, nor was my friend. The truth is that such an approach is mentioned in the Bible, but it is condemned.

“. . . “Keep to yourself,

                        do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.”

             These are a smoke in my nostrils,

                        a fire that burns all the day.” (Isaiah 65:5, English Standard Version)

In its context, this holier-than-thou attitude is definitely not holy at all. God, through the prophet Isaiah, condemns this way of thinking and speaking. There is a huge difference in imitating good character qualities and cheap imitations of those good character qualities.

So, what or who is on your kill list? And how (and how hard) are you working to become a person of character?

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