Steve Lobsey Supporter

People's character is shaped by many things. We live in a broken world and elements of this world can shape a person. A person who is abused as a child will carry repercussions of this, and you could not say an inherent 'character' they were born with would override this.

A person's background too will influence the things they value, and this will be seen in the decisions they make.

So I think, in answer to your question, we are not born with a fully developed character, it is something that grows over time.

March 15 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Seth Freeman Supporter

We are all born with a unique personality. If you have children, all you have to do is look at them to realize this. My 5 and 3 year old have very opposite personalities. They have different gifts, and different struggles. I can already see their propensity towards sin, yet each is more likely to sin in a different way. 

I believe we are all born with many facets of our personality, and even struggles already there, however, there is also little doubt that our environment plays a major factor in shaping our character/personality. 

So I would say it's a bit of both with the good news being that through Christ all of it can be transformed into His Image.

March 18 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Faith Cross Supporter Pastor/Line Supervisor at a car parts factory

I like Seth's answer that we have unique personalities and are born with giftings to be developed. Anyone who has more than one child can see that you won't have any two children born with the same personality, And even our personality is shaped by life curcunstances. But our character is definitely something that is shaped as we grow and mature.

2 Peter 1:4-8 talks about the development of character in our walk with Christ. "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

April 27 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report