Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ™

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I think all of us as Christians are seeking to live a life of honesty and integrity. We desire to please God. We desire to live according to His Word. We desire to present an example to our children that will become a rich heritage they can follow. It is tough living in a world that many times encourages or at the very least overlooks acts of cheating and dishonesty. In the stresses and strains of the world we live in, we are attempting a life that can only be called “Integrity Under Pressure.”

The apostle Paul faced great challenges and attacks to his ministry and his motives. In his defense Paul has left us some great principles about how to maintain our integrity in everyday life. He showed us how to live and serve in such a way, that though you are an open book, you are not open to attack concerning your service for God in the world and in the home. We find his testimony in 1 Thessalonians 2.

1 Thessalonians 2:2-3 tells us: “We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you this gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.” True integrity stands up under pressure and opposition. Integrity does the right thing with the right motives and is free of trickery. I know that many, if not all, who are reading this have at one time or another been attacked by those who do not understand their life choices. “Why do you submit to your husband?” “Why won’t you let your children do many of the things other children do?” “Why must you go to church EVERY Sunday?” “Why are you so narrow minded as to think only certain people go to Heaven?” On it goes. Integrity stands and tells the truth and tells it like it is. It does not manipulate people into thinking we agree. It does not use trickery to skirt an issue. Integrity stands strong. One true test to our children that what we believe is the truth, is our willingness to courageously live it and communicate it in a clear, unwavering manner.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6a: “On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.” True integrity understands the priority of life to be the building of God’s Kingdom, not our own. Integrity is not concerned with personal profit in finances or reputation. When you face opposition and decide to please God over men you will suffer loss. These losses can include a job, a relationship, financial support, and more. We have to remember why we are here. It is not for our own comfort. If we are blessed or have the favor of man it is a side benefit and not the goal. Our goal is to please God. It takes real courage to please God over man. It takes guts to do the thing we know to be right against all odds.

1 Thessalonians 2:6b-10 teaches: “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked day and night in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God of how holy, righteous, and blameless we were among you who believed.” True integrity doesn’t forget love. True integrity cares about the very person bringing the accusation, the insult, the challenge. This is a lesson I have had to learn. I am a homeschooler and I believe God has called me to homeschool. At first I was shy about it but as I learned and studied about homeschooling I became very sure of myself. When people would try to make me feel like I was doing the wrong thing I would literally slay them with my fine arguments. I may have won some arguments but I lost something much more important. I lost my integrity. I had forgotten love. I can do this with the gospel too. When faced with opposition on the truths about Jesus, I can bring out all the Bible verses, all the archaeology and science that supports the Bible’s assertions. But if I am only trying to win an argument and not to win a soul for Christ, then I may as well stop speaking and bang a cymbal in the recipient’s ear. If I only half pay attention to their words, just waiting to hit them with my “wisdom”, will they not see right through this? Even worse, is this how I treat my children? Do they only receive my distracted attention? Is my discipline more about revenge in anger than it is instruction in righteousness? Integrity dares to share it’s life with others. It entrusts itself to God for provision and protection. It dares to love.

The life of integrity is not the easy life. It is easier to flatter people than to tell the truth. It is easier to have everyone like us. It is always easier to give in. However it is only easier in the short run. Lack of integrity promises to catch up with us. It is a trap and a snare. With patience, integrity carries its own rewards. It brings a clear conscience as well as future reward from God. It brings knowing you have modeled a life sold out to God for your children. God is looking for people of integrity to use in the building of His Kingdom. Will you choose integrity when under pressure? Will you stand with Him?

Praise Him!

Karen Twombly

(You can reach Karen at Karen@t2chk.org )