Be a Person of Integrity

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com

You say "yes" but your action is telling me "no", which one is it? Finding out that someone you love and trust did not keep a promise or is a liar is very hurtful and and difficult realization. Jesus calls those who would be His followers to live according to God's will. They must always do the right thing even when no body's watching. They must pursue God's interest rather than their own. People of the kingdom live for God, not for themselves. Your love for God ought to make you treat others with respect. I need to be able to see God in you. In that context, God wants us to resemble Him in every way. He wants His people to be men/women of conviction, and that is why He ordered us to let our "Yes" be "Yes" and our "No", No. 1 Peter 3:10 also warns us against lying "For it is said, Let the man who has a love of life, desiring to see good days, keep his tongue from evil and his lips from words of deceit".

Why can't Christians be truthful? Jesus addressed the issue of honesty and truthfulness thoroughly in His sermon reported on Matthew chapter 5. It could be any clearer. What does it mean to be true to one's word? To be true to oneself and to others requires character. Unfortunately even Christians fail miserably at it. People of character and integrity are now uncommon. Those of us who have been in loving relationship with Christ know what a real loving relationship should be like and it is sad when we don't recognize any of Christ's characteristics in those who claim to care about us. Truth and honesty shouldn't be hard to us because God, our father is the source of all truth and there is nothing false or deceitful in him. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will make you free (John 8:32). We are His disciples; we should live our lives according to it and be faithful witnesses of the truth. As disciple, your word is more important than anything you can put on paper, more binding than any legal contract. Christ's disciples must speak truthfully without "stretching" the truth.

Jesus always told the truth, the Bible describes him as the "faithful and true witness" (Rev. 3:14), and He calls himself "the truth" (John 14:6). Jesus condemns lying because it goes against the word of God, but He rewards obedience, Proverbs 3 1-2, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity". Moses, Abraham and many more early believers used to obey without understanding. God expects, and deserves, the same kind of obedience from us today. Christians should be willing to say, as did the lady reported in Joshua 2:21, "According unto your words, so be it". Those of you reading this today ought to follow her example in repentance, obedience, and service.

Just recently a friend lied to me and then when I exhorted him, he told me even more lies to cover it up. It was very embarrassing. I was embarrassed for him. It was really sad to witness. Truth matters to me. Nothing makes us more like the devil than when we tell a lie because he is the father of lies. The devil is best known as a liar. The Bible urges us to confess our sins to each other. If we don't want the devil in our homes then we have the responsibility to abstain from behaviors that make him feel at home in our lives.

Let us take a stand for righteousness. Let us make an effort to be man/woman of our word. Let us make an effort to treat people with dignity and respect. Let us tell the truth no matter the cost. Let us not inflict emotional pain on those we claim to love, if not for our sake but for Christ; after all, it is not about us, but it is about Jesus.

Be a person of integrity and be blessed.

Praise the Lord!