25 Powerful Bible Verses to Strengthen the Character of a Man
By Jimmy Sliwa
Your character is under attack. The devil and the flesh are at war with your character and all that God wants you to become.
One of the best ways to fortify your character is to read and memorize scripture. In this fight against the world and flesh, commit to memorizing God’s words which are powerful and effective.
Don’t let your character fall prey to temptations. Instead, fight the flesh with scripture.
May these 25 powerful scriptures give you encouragement as a husband to develop and maintain your character.
List of Character Traits
1. Husband of Trust
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
– Proverbs 3:5-8
Summary: God calls us to be men that are dependent on Him. It is our duty to rely on God’s word rather than our own understanding. Our finite minds are feeble compared to the mind of Christ. It is infinitely better to trust God with big decisions. He is sure to direct your steps.
2. Husband of Stewardship
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”
– Luke 16:10-11
Summary: If you want to have more responsibility and power you must first be faithful in the small things. Take a good look at your own life and see how you steward the ‘smaller things‘ like your personal finances and your parenting style. Commit to being faithful in the small areas of life.
3. Husband of Meekness
“The meek will He guide in judgement: and the meek will He teach His way.
– Psalm 25:9
Summary: Don’t mistake meekness for weakness. God promises to give direction and guidance to the humble.
4. Husband of Gentleness
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”
– 2 Timothy 2:24
Summary: As God’s servant, we are called to be gentle. A gentle spirit can be demonstrated in patience and a willingness to teach.
5. Husband of Hospitality
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
– 1 Peter 4:8-9
Summary: Kindness and mercy should be of utmost importance for this covers a multitude of sin. Hospitality is shown through friendliness and graciousness and not with a begrudging heart.
6. Husband of Humility
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
– 1 Peter 5:5
Summary: God gives grace to those that humble themselves. Do not be proud and arrogant, but aim to be submissive to others (especially your elders). In return, God promises to be gracious with you.
7. Husband of Purity
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
– 2 Timothy 2:22
Summary: Run away from lust. Instead chase after right living and peace. This is God’s will for your life.
8. Husband of Integrity
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer.”
– Psalm 19:14
Summary: What you think about and what you say holds some serious weight. Your thoughts and words should be pleasing to God.
9. Husband of Wisdom
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.”
– James 1:5
Summary: If you need wise counsel, then ask God. He makes a promise with us that He will give wisdom in good measure to those that ask with confidence.
10. Husband of Generosity
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
– Luke 6:30
Summary: To the extent that you are generous you will receive generosity. In fact, God states that you will receive “overflowing” generosity if you are first generous. Don’t be stingy.
11. Husband of Forgiveness
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
– Ephesians 4:32
Summary: God calls husbands to be kind and tender. We have been forgiven so much, we ought to also extend forgiveness.
12. Husband of Courage
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
– Joshua 1:9
Summary: God doesn’t request that men be courageous, he commands it. So be strong and courageous for we know that God will be with us wherever we go. You can count on God.
13. Husband of Self-Control
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
– Proverbs 25:28
Summary: A man without self-control is like a city that is defenseless. Maintain self-control and safeguard your character. Don’t leave yourself defenseless.
14. Husband of Peace
“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”
– Isaiah 26:3
Summary: Husbands that keep their thoughts on Christ receive the peace of Christ. If you are anxious, perhaps it is because your mind is not fixed on Christ.
15. Husband of Diligence
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
– Romans 12:11
Summary: God wants you to be steady, energetic, and earnest in your work.
16. Husband of Perserverance
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; with for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
– Hebrews 12:2-3
Summary: Jesus was the best example of perseverance. Despite the shame and pain of the cross, Jesus set out and accomplished His mission on this earth.
Husbands ought to look to Jesus as the perfect example of living with persistence and purpose.
17. Husband of Contentment
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
– Hebrews 13:5
Summary: All are called to be content with our lot in life. As husbands, we should learn to be satisfied with the blessing we have in our life; the greatest of which is God who will never leave us. Be sure to count your blessings.
18. Husband of Honor
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.”
– Proverbs 21:21
Summary: You get what you chase after. If you pursue right living and mercy you will find life, righteousness, and honor.
19. Husband of Encouragement
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
– Hebrews 10: 24-25
Summary: Husbands are called to encourage one other to do good works. Don’t sit back and let others pass you by, aim to inspire and reassure your friends and family.
20. Husband of Prayer
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
– James 5:16
Summary: When you slip up, confess your fault to a close friend. Have them pray for you so that you can receive healing. In marriage this often looks like confessing to your wife. Let the prayers of a righteous person penetrate your soul for their prayer are effective for healing.
21. Husband of Selflessness
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”
– Romans 12:10
Summary: Men should have a close group of friends. In that friendship, don’t aim to dominate the relationship, but be considerate of your friends and uplifting to them.
22. Husband of Boldness
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
– Philippians 1:20
Summary: In this scripture, Paul was giving an example of his boldness to live for Christ. He demonstrates that living to magnify Christ is more important than preserving his own life. Now that’s boldness
23. Husband of Patience
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”
– Colossians 1:10-11
Summary: Walking with God takes perseverance over time. In other words, it takes patience as you walk out your faith on a daily basis. Work daily to increase in knowledge about God and be strengthened by His might.
24. Husband of Joy
“But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.”
– Psalm 5:11
Summary: You have a reason to be joyful if your hope is in God. He is sure to defend and protect you all the days of your life and eternity is found in Him. Now that’s something to rejoice about.
25. Husband of Submission
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
– James 4:7
Summary: The key to overcoming temptation is to humble yourself before God and resist the devil. By resisting temptation, the devil has no choice but to flee.
