How Important Is It to Keep Your Promises to God?

God performed a miracle by saving Jonah from a darkness that would have terminated his life. God delivered Jonah so he would have a second chance to be accountable to God’s call. Listen to his gratitude: “I’m worshipping you, my God, by expressing my thanksgiving. I will do what I promised to do, for my salvation comes from you, my Lord and God.”

When God issued him a second call to go to Nineveh, Jonah, this time, would follow God’s instructions to the letter. A second miracle God performed in Jonah’s life was inspiring the words to be preached to Nineveh with such power that the people immediately repented and received God’s salvation.

Jonah knew he could do nothing without God’s power and blessings. The fact that he was delivered from darkness anchored his belief in God’s power. 

God’s faithfulness is not restricted by mankind’s weakness, so rejoice in the Lord and keep your promises to him. You will be blessed.                         

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The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 

~Proverbs 11:3 New International Version 

For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

~Philippians 1:6 New American Standard Bible 

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How Does Integrity Determine Success?

Integrity is a critical component of character that each person should guard like protecting a valuable treasure. As women gain relevant roles in business, politics, and education, integrity often determines the success of this transition. Dignity is another character trait that highlights self-respect and self-worth.

Dignity and integrity are positive attributes where men and women respect the intelligence, expertise, and hard work of each other. It is possible to get beyond the gender issue where there is the capacity to accept that both men and women are created by God but with special differences.

Self-respect hinges on being responsible for what God has entrusted to you, and this is where integrity and dignity play crucial roles. If another person’s gain is perceived as your personal loss, then anger and sadness will surface to create grief. 

Rather than longing for what has been lost, rejoice in what God has given you.                           

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The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

~Proverbs 11:3 Revised Standard Version

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Will the Power of God's Grace Disable Duplicity?

The tendency toward deception is a problem even the strongest Christians must struggle against. When confronted with situations that are embarrassing, denying wrongdoing or admitting failure in morals and character is common practice. Large corporations pay out huge sums to settle lawsuits, while denying wrongdoing.

This prevailing mindset bows to deception as an effective means of functioning in society. However deception damages integrity, creates guilt, and may become emotionally habitual or a common way of life.

Living with deception fosters a way of life tainted by duplicity, which is dangerous. Listen to Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Though sin may have gained a foothold in your life, God’s grace is greater, more powerful than sin’s stronghold. God is persistent in guiding you away from evil and toward Jesus Christ and his righteousness. 

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When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive and lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God. Don’t let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don’t obey its desires.

~Romans 6:10-12 Contemporary English Version

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Maintain Integrity in Your Language

Maintaining integrity in the use of language is a basic principle for effective communication. This is difficult to maintain in the presence of a heated discussion. Refuting another person’s beliefs can evolve into a “must win” mentality when accompanied by strong emotions.

If integrity is diminished, efforts to prove others at fault become the basic objective. As integrity weakens, nonverbal communication may become exaggerated, as authenticated by facial expressions, a passionate voice, and the fervent gesturing of hands and arms.

Yet when each person's integrity is honored, attempts to squelch communication is a non-issue because respect for others is paramount. Integrity permits diverse opinions and even desires their expression. In this atmosphere each person feels safe to be different, which builds trust and increases the potential for deeper intimacy. God's unconditional love and care honor our individuality. Let us follow God’s example. 

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The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them. 

~Proverbs 11:3 New American Standard Bible

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To Avoid Heated Conflict, Keep Words Cool

Even in the closest relationships, disagreements are impossible to avoid – and even when people are of similar temperament and personality. Some individuals keep their opinions to themselves to avoid conflict and keep peace. Yet most people feel compelled to refute what they do not agree with by arguing or by presenting evidence to the contrary.

Because disagreements are normal, healthy families and couples usually agree upon some basic rules for communicating under difficult conditions. One helpful rule is to maintain personal integrity by refusing to digress into inappropriate language and shouting matches.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and necessary for preserving personal integrity in the search for solutions to conflicts. Defending integrity is vital to effective communication. Listen to Proverbs 11:3: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Permit the presence of the Lord God to be your guide.  

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Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

~Proverbs 17:27 English Standard Version

 

It’s a mark of good character to avoid quarrels; but fools love to pick fights.

~Proverbs 20:3 The Message

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The Right Thing for the Right Reason

An interesting component of Joseph’s character was his ability to carve out a niche for himself despite difficult conditions. From his adolescence, he was not given a choice about where or how he would spend his life. Yet he had this fantastic capacity for thinking rationally and logically toward discovering how to use a situation for his best good.

 

C. S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, "Right actions done for the wrong reason do not build the quality of character known as integrity. It’s this quality of character that matters.” The reason for Joseph’s conduct was his strong belief that God had a purpose for him wherever he was and whatever he had to do.

Joseph found a niche for himself in prison, but it was his integrity that convinced the warden to trust him. So, when he least expected it, he was summoned to the court of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. God had a place for him because he demonstrated faith and integrity in every situation. Joseph consistently did the right thing for the right reason.  

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The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.

~Proverbs 28:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

~Titus 2:7-8 New International Version

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. 

~Proverbs 11:3 The Message

Self-Respect Missing? Check Your Lifestyle - Part 3

The nation of Israel wanted a king so they could be like other countries. God chose for this position Saul, a young man thirty years old. Samuel, the last judge to rule Israel, was designated to anoint Saul as king. However, on the day of his coronation Saul hid himself from Samuel and the people. You could say Saul was reluctant a king.

Saul is described as handsome and taller than the average man, so he was someone the people could literally look up to. He showed leadership in organizing an army and rallying the nation to defend itself against an enemy. Saul did develop courage and proved himself in battle early on.

Perhaps Saul’s need for approval overruled good judgement and consequently cost him God’s approval. As his self-respect diminished, confidence in God, himself and the Hebrew people also faded. Saul’s story illustrates that self-respect must be protected by listening to God’s voice above all others and faithfully following his instructions for your life.