Keep Your Word

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:37 (ESV)

Decide to live a life of integrity. My favorite description of integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. Moses demonstrated integrity by refusing to succumb to the gravitational pull of instant gratification. King David shepherded his people with integrity of heart. Jesus is the model of integrity.

Living a life of integrity includes keeping your word. There’s no need to prop up your words by swearing or making a verbal promise. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no.” Be a person of your word. When you give your word on something it should be validated by a lifestyle of credibility. You build your credibility through honesty, consistency, and transparency.

• ^“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Heb. 11:24-25 (ESV)
• “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” Ps. 78:72 (ESV)

Don’t give the devil a foothold. Don’t give the devil an entry point to dilute your devotion to the Lord or to compromise your integrity. Guard your heart. Protect your mind. Seek to become more and more like Christ each day. The clarity of your integrity will be elevated through Christlikeness. When Jesus reigns in your life, you will reign with integrity in this life.

Refuse to be mixed in your motives. Keep your motives pure before God.

Drawing Near,

Stephen Trammell
Lead Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell