When we focus on character development, we usually emphasise the elimination of sin. What it means to be holy then finds its definition in things that we do not do rather than things we do. This focus can be easily understood and justified. Certainly a significant part of our spiritual journey is the putting off of the old. Early on in the process, the dominant conversation between God and us seems to be about some very concrete lifestyle decisions. Right up front we learn that we should at least begin to live by the standards of the Ten Commandments. If you’re a new Christian, it’s extraordinarily confirming when you choose to avoid murdering, committing adultery, lying, and stealing. And it makes perfect sense when you stop worshipping false gods and worship only the true and living God.

The problem is not the insignificance of these areas of change, but that we tend to make them the entire construct for spiritual formation. It’s as if all God is trying to do is stop us from sinning. Yet all of us who have walked with Christ know that there’s more. We know that beyond being greedy is being generous, beyond lying is being truthful, beyond pride is humility, and beyond slander is encouragement. It is not enough to “put off.” We must also “put on.” All of us are encouraged when we begin to see the fruit of the Spirit born in the lives of followers of Christ, reconfirming the work of God in the human heart.’

[Erwin McManus, ‘an unstoppable force’ – page 180 in chapter ‘Soul Environments’]