Failure to persevere in developing Christian character leads to ____, and ____.

• A. barrenness; unfruitfulness; shortsightedness; forgetfulness
• B. growth; fruitfulness; clarity; memory
• C. prosperity; joy; strength; health
• D. doubt; fear; confusion; weakness

Answer: (A)

Persevering in developing Christian character keeps a believer from becoming spiritually barren and unfruitful. When that perseverance fades, the life produced by faith dries up—there’s little ongoing virtue or impact for the kingdom. It also tends to make a person shortsighted, missing the long-range purposes God has for growth, and forgetful, not remembering God’s past faithfulness and teachings. The other options point to positive outcomes or different negative states that don’t align with the described consequence of neglecting ongoing character development.