God will not sustain a double life. What is hidden in private does not stay hidden forever, and no amount of talent can compensate for a lack of integrity. In a recent podcast episode, John and Lisa Bevere addressed the issue of character, arguing that private obedience determines whether public influence can endure.
Lisa Bevere framed the conversation with a direct question: Who are you “when nobody is looking”? She described character as who a person is when there is “no benefit” attached. Public failure, she said, usually begins with private compromise. What people eventually see is the result of something that was already growing beneath the surface.
John Bevere reflected on a prayer they prayed early in ministry that their gifting would never “outpace” their character. Influence can grow quickly, he said, but integrity develops slowly. “Gifting will not carry you,” he said. “Character is what carries you.” When opportunity expands faster than maturity, collapse becomes more likely.
They pointed to Scripture for examples. King Uzziah’s downfall was visible to everyone, but pride had already taken root in his heart. The outward consequence followed an inward shift. Hidden attitudes such as pride, anger or self-reliance eventually surface.
The discussion then turned to hardship. Asking God to form Christlike character, John Bevere said, often leads into seasons that are painful. He shared how intense trials exposed anger he did not know was present. God compared it to refining gold. The furnace does not create impurities. It brings them to the top. Once they are visible, they can either be owned and removed or pushed back down.
Lisa Bevere described trials as “trainers.” Citing James 1, she said pressure forces faith “into the open” and shows its true condition. Avoiding the lesson only leads to repeating it. Growth comes from letting the process finish its work.
They also emphasized timing. Planting comes before harvest. Much of a character’s development happens in seasons when there is effort but little recognition. Skipping that preparation weakens what follows. Spiritual maturity, like physical training, is built through consistency long before the moment of testing.
Opposition has its place as well. Goliath revealed David. Pharaoh revealed Moses. Resistance often shows whether someone will respond in godliness or react in the flesh. Holiness reflects devotion to God. Godliness is revealed in how a person treats others, especially under pressure.
Throughout the episode, the focus remained on personal responsibility. Trials are not random interruptions but opportunities to deal with what lies beneath the surface. Private faithfulness shapes public endurance. When God allows the heat, it is not to shame but to strengthen, ensuring that what stands in the spotlight has first been formed in secret.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
