Louder Than Words: The Power of Uncompromised Living

by Andy Stanley

Your character, more than anything else, will impact how much you accomplish in this life. It is more important than your talent, your education, your background, or your network of friends. Andy Stanley helps you chart a course toward becoming a man or woman of character. You'll discover a definition of character that will inspire you for a lifetime, the external and internal benefits of strong character, the six false beliefs behind negative behaviors, and more. Using practical insights, biblical exposition, and engaging stories, Stanley guides you step-by-step in setting the personal goals that will build the foundation for true success.The Secret to a Life with No Regrets How important is your character? It determines everything about you! How much you will accomplish in life, and whether you are worth knowing. How you will respond to success, and how you will weather the inevitable storms of life. This is a book about uncompromised living. It is about choosing every day to be a man or woman of integrity, a person whose actions speak louder than words. Bestselling author Andy Stanley challenges you to become what you were meant to a person whose commitment to doing the right thing, whatever the cost, will inspire others and change your world. Story Behind the BookAs a pastor, I spend a substantial amount of my time with people who are digging themselves out from personal environmental catastrophes—circumstances that were often years in the making but “took them by surprise.” Another group of people have faced, or are facing, storms of life that are not of their own making, storms created by the character deficits of others—storms that are a natural part of a fallen world. There, in the midst of unjust treatment and seemingly undeserved pain, the true character of a man or woman is revealed. What you see in such moments is what was really there all along. This book is about change. It’s about the process of taking raw materials and molding them, shaping them, and refining them into a finished product. Whether you know it or not, that process is happening in you. Your character, not your accomplishments or acquisitions, determines your legacy.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Inspirational

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Andy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.

Reviews

[Amanda Tero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second review:
This was even better than I remember. I am not sure why I had said I would prefer more Scripture. Sure, it wasn’t quoted on every page, but the principles of Scripture were so clearly outlined throughout the entire book.

Andy explains first what godly character is and goes from daily examples of good character to sins that trap us from having good character. I especially appreciate his emphasis toward the end of the book, reminding us that godly character isn’t made by our hard work, but by submitting to God’s Spirit.

First review:
This was one of those books that I could only read a chapter at a time and then had to process it for about a week. such a strong book about character with Biblical principles! I would have preferred more Scripture, but still, it was a convicting read.

[Eric Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. Don’t read this book if you don’t want your life to change. The principles here will smack you between the eyes. While some of the framework may seem easy, putting it into practice is both challenging and rewarding.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful for this book. It’s a friendly gut punch.

[Buddy Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about character was easy to read and apply. I really enjoy Stanley’s style of writing and speaking. He describes well why character is important and how to build it up. Developing character is a long, slow journey and it’s important to understand why it’s so vital and how to make that journey.

[Shelbi Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book more times than any other book. It is always holds convictions that never get old. Such a great read. Over the years, some terms and analogies are dated, but all around a book EVERY leader should read… and then read again.

[Austin Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I wrote “wow” on at least 20 pages of this book. Top shelfer for sure.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging and well-written book on the topic of developing good character, or what I would call 'integrity'. The book takes a while to get going, as the early chapters explain what the author means by 'character', and how it appears to others.

There are plenty of Scripture references and quotations from other writers, alongside the author's excellent points, and some personal anecdotes. I don't think it said anything new to me, but it gave me a great deal to think about. No quick fixes or point-by-point lists, but suggestions for putting aside negative attitudes, and renewing our minds as a starting point.

Definitely recommended to any believers.

Four and a half stars would be fairer.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Alexis Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy Stanley once again conveyed great application of God’s directions from us, as he derived from His Word. If you’re looking to really give yourself a thorough inspection of your character and how your actions toward others are aligned with Jesus, this is the book for you. However, prepare for your toes to be stepped on! He discusses many ways we as humans deviate from the behaviors Jesus exemplified for us, and it can be a hard realization, as it was for me, when we realize how far off we are!

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best chapters in this book are 6, 12-14. And I almost feel that 12-14 should've been at the beginning.

It's an ok book, and though this was written many years ago (2004), before Andy Stanley started espousing "progressive Christianity" sentiments, I'm still left extremely skeptical of him and anything that comes from him. I'm weary of whatever line of thinking that allowed him to end up where he now is - which isn't based in biblical truth.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could digest all this book and be reminded every single day on all the good advice and teaching which it contains. Who wouldn't want to live a life with no congrets? Who wouldn't want to have an impeccable character? Who wouldn't want to go to bed each night knowing that you have lived your best day possible?

Thanks to Andy Stanley for an excellent Christian Living book. It's been passed around my family, and I will continue passing this excellent 2004 book around.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Andy Stanley’s book on character starts a little slowly, and is definitely dated (referring to cassettes, etc). However the meat of the book is biblically based and therefore very current and applicable to our lives today. Andy breathes new understanding into some oft misunderstood ideas and passages in Scripture. Definitely a recommended read!

[Robert M Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I so enjoy the writings of Andy. His ability to speak plainly yet insightfully is a gift for folks like myself who have been away from ‘faith’ for quite some time but who want to believe. This is just one more jewel in his writings to help me understand what faith truly means and what it demands.

[Nick Charalambous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, practical and simple. Theology doesn’t have to be complex to be powerful. Worthwhile to read as a reminder of first principles. A goldmine to fully apply. The chapter on forgiveness is a hidden gem.

[Billy Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read worthy.

Having admired the senior Stanley for years, this is my first reading of the son and worthy of a second, slower read when I finish my mentor reading list which calls for a book per month. It is truth well written in an enjoyable style. Thank you my brother.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read.

I wouldn’t say it’s Stanley’s best work, I know for sure Deep and Wide is more potent in my opinion. But this is still a very healthy reminder for believers about the process of developing character.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Michelle Walker-Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

E

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that spells out what it means to have character, how to walk with character, and how to move towards having character.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this would be a 4 star book until the last few chapters. I wish I would’ve read this much sooner in my life.

[Realdo Dias · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. It is so eye-opening and challenging at the same time. Now I know what it means to be a man of character.

[Ted Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great read! Pastor Andy is amazing. The way he can relate everyday life to how the Bible tells us how to love is very loving. I would recommend this book to anyone who is hoping to make changes to life and marriage.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Andy Stanley is already one of the best communicators, but this book just reinforces that impression. This whole book is just based on character and how it impacts every facet of your life. I probably need to reread this book every few months just so I continually have these truths on my mind. Anyway, here are some quotes from the book that really hit me:

"Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless of personal cost."

"Character is not only about submitting to God's standard of right and wrong; it also means surrendering to God our expectations of others. We aren't willing to suffer the personal cost if it includes being wronged by others, but if we extend anything less than the grace of God to those who wrong us, then we fall short of God's standard. Character involves loving our neighbors as ourselves- even when they don't reciprocate."

"Biblical imperatives apart from biblical thinking result in short-term obedience and long-term frustration."

"What we believe determines how we behave."

"In and of yourself, you don't have what it takes to become a man or woman of character."

"Walking in the Spirit can be defined like this: moment-by-moment dependence upon the Holy Spirit to prompt you to do what He wants you to do, and to empower you to do what you cannot do."

[Mylon Pruett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is arguably my second favorite book I've read by Andy Stanly, the first being Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend. The core concept of this book is the importance of character. So many leaders talk about how important character is without ever really discussing exactly what that means. Louder Than Words starts by defining what character is, and continues on to talk to the different aspects of good character and what it means to achieve them.

Andy does a great job of keeping things short but still in depth. It creates what I call a short, intense read. The book overall is not long, and doesn't take a lot of time to read but it does require continual thought and introspection to really get the most out of it. A phenomenal book on both leadership and spirituality.

[JJ Vancil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louder Than Words, by Andy Stanley, asks the hard questions regarding character. In the midst of a culture that prioritizes entertainment, success and talent, Louder Than Words focuses not on who one is on the outside, but who they are on the inside. The focus is often on the external, but what really matters is one’s character. The definition of character, according to the book, is "the will to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless of personal cost." God desires to shape his people into the character of Jesus Christ and set them free from compromised living, hardened hearts and bitterness. This happens as we work together with God to renew our minds and conform to the truth of His Word. This is a good book.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character is a difficult thing to define, and often times it's difficult to pinpoint exactly why we admire people that show great character. We think 'there's just something about them...'. Andy tackles this issue on how to become a person of character from a strong foundation in the Bible and from personal experience. He sets logical arguments and persuasion on why you would want to become someone of character, and shows via God's teaching how to reach for it. I really liked this book, and I'd recommend it especially to anyone who finds their conscience tugging at them in situations that the world round them sees as 'normal and ok'.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book on character. a few things i had a hard time fully agreeing with, but i love his definition of character and that so many of us who are looking for employees, friends, etc...are looking for the same characteristics that Christ had in those people. Really good insight, so he focuses on us developing the character of Christ & pursuing intimacy with Him will lead us to be people of character.

[Scott Denbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy balances hard truth with a cushioned delivery better than anyone I have ever been exposed to. This book though goes beyond a culturally-relevant message. This is the heart of a person who - for the better part of his adult life - has employed these principles daily and is reaping the rewards. Character is a process and not a self-help strategy. True character is Christ living out his life through us. We just need to surrender and trust. Ha! easy to write...tougher to do.

[Chad Stutzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid book about Character. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is serious about developing good character. One of the key concepts is that Character is produced through us; it is not manufactured by us. Character development is more about being dependent on God and not trying in our own strength to follow the rules. Andy Stanley uses some great illustrations to make the concepts easier to grasp, like pushing a car instead of driving a car. Get the book.

[A. Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an assigned book. I think Stanley's point on integrity was wrongly approached: he started with the reasons, moved to "intimacy with God" on to the will, and ended with the Holy Spirit. I think I would have begun with God and His kingdom and the fulfilling power of the HS, moved to the change in the will (as a result), and ended with sorting out the minutia of daily life. I kind of yawned my way through most of it.
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[Matthew Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louder Than Words is perhaps one of the most impactful books on living a life of purpose that I have ever read. I recommend reading this book at least twice. Read it once to be inspired then read it again to begin mastering the practical steps given by Andy Stanley to live a life of intention.

This books starts out strong and keeps going. Once you get started you will not want to put this down.