Was it out of character?

Sometimes it is said of a person that 'He (or she) acted out of character.' It's a statement sometimes used to communicate that a person is basically good, and when they do something bad, it is "out of character."

I believe it is closer to the mark to say that people act out their character. The decisions we make are indicators of our character. For example:

> Cain displayed his character by killing Abel.
> Joab displayed his character by slaying unsuspecting men.
> Absalom displayed his character by mounting a rebellion his father.
> Judas displayed his character by taking money from the money bag.

These men were not acting out of character. They were acting out their character. The kind of men they were was seen by what they did.

On the positive side:

> Joseph displayed his good character by fleeing from Potipher's wife.
> Hannah displayed her character by keeping a promise to give her son to God.
> Daniel displayed his character by praying in spite of the king's edict.
> Mary displayed her character by submitting to God's will.

Yes, we act out our character.

> The man who constantly puts his wife down is displaying his character.
> The woman who will not submit to her husband is showing her character.
> The teenager who steals a CD from K Mart is showing his character.
> The woman who constantly gossips is showing her character.

Let's not justify our wrong choices by saying, "Oh, I acted out of character." Our wrong choices are displays of what we are really like. They reveal a sin problem within, not something that is outside ourselves and can be excused. 

May God help us to take responsibility for our choices, and repent of the wrong things we do. There's nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by confessing our sins! "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." Proverbs 28:13 nkjv