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THE INTEGRETY OF A MAN'S WORD

by william kelley  
9/13/2014 / Christian Living

Several weeks ago I was watching a movie called "To Sir With Love II". It was about a high school teacher who had come to Chicago to teach in a school whose students were out of hand. He had received the job because of his success in other schools of the same type. After he had been there a few days, he was looking out the window and saw a student toss a package up to a student in a second floor window. He immediately ran up the stairs and found the student who had the package. In the package was a revolver. He talked the student into giving him the gun. He told the student that he was going to turn the gun in, but would not reveal where he got it or who he got it from. He turned the gun in and several weeks later two police officers came to the school wanting to talk to him. He and his supervisor met with them. The revolver had been involved in the shooting of a police officer. They wanted to know who he got the gun from. He refused to tell them. His supervisor told him to tell them or he would have to let him go. He still refused. He said to his supervisor "How can we teach these students to be young people of integrity unless we show them by the way we live. He was willing to give up his high paying position at that school, because he had given that student his word After watching that movie, I could not sleep that night because the Holy Spirit kept bringing up the integrity of my word. I say I will do something for someone and when I say it I have every intention of doing it. Then other things come up that I think are more important. I think that I will do what I promised as soon as I get these other things done. The Holy Spirit showed me that that is compromising my integrity. I was bringing dishonor to my walk as a christian and dishonor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The people who I made promises to were hurt. I am sure that these people are now skeptical of my promises. Would they take me at my word any more? More importantly what does God think of my not keeping my promises? I am to be conformed into the image of Jesus. Would Jesus make a promise he would not keep? We as Christians have not realized the importance of our words. Are the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts acceptable in his sight? I think not.

It used to be in this country that a handshake was the signature of a contract. Their word meant something. They would rather be taken to the cleaners than to not keep their word. Today you would need an attorney to draw up a contract to make sure the parties keep their word.

Honor comes from God. Its the kind of honor that keeps it's words and standard of integrity no matter what. For a christian, everyday commitments of honor are required of them. If you have trouble keeping your commitments and people don't take you at your word, or are skeptical of your promises, then you need honor. You cannot live the christian life without it.
Psalm 15:2-5 is the Biblical definition of honor. It is taken from the Living Bible.
Vs. 2 Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere.
Vs. 3 Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor,
Vs. 4 speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him,
Vs. 5 does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him--- such a man shall stand firm
forever.

If you will get into God's word and let it get into your spirit, honor will well up in you so full you will have no desire to walk in anything else. Your spirit will experience conviction about the smallest of commitments. You'll become so tuned to his Word and His Spirit that you will become honorable in everything.

As you become honorable you will speak the truth. You will take your word seriously. You will never distort the truth or speak idle words. You will be able to make commitments and keep them. You will be faithful. You will act with the utmost integrity. You won't want to say anything else,because Matthew 5:37 says all else proceeds from the evil one.

If you have truly read this article, you must now make a decision. You have several choices. You can wad it up and throw it in the trash can. You can think you'll reread it and think about what was said, then misplace it and forget it. There will be a few who will have the desire to be honorable and will put it to use in their lives. Those God will bless.

These are the thoughts of an old man.

W. J. Kelley- Write about the experiences of my life. That covers a lot since I am 78 years old. I have nothing published but am hopeful. I have a lot in my heart I want to share.
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