Sunday Sermons
Character
Trustworthiness
For centuries men have written about the importance of having moral character. “Character is the cornerstone of success”, “Character is the diamond that scratches every other stone”, “Character is what we are; reputation is what others think we are”, “Character is what you are in the dark when no one is around”, “Character, like embroidery, is made stitch by stitch”, “Man’s character is no better than he is”, “Man’s only real possession is his character”, “Strong character depends not so much upon chances as upon choices”, “The man that makes a character makes foes”, “There is no gain in subtracting from your character to add to your popularity”, “You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must forge one out for yourself”, “Our character is our will; for what we will we are”. Yet essential elements are what compose true moral character, especially in light of the times in which we live. “Today it’s possible to have mediocre integrity yet still be way ahead of the ‘the pack’” (Keeping Your Ethical Edge Sharp, Sherman and Hendricks, p. 7). In addition, today we do not necessarily need more moralists, what we really need are more moral leaders, people who not only preach the message, but live it as well. Unfortunately, “character” is something that is often lacking among professed believers. Various Gallop polls in the past have found that there is very little difference in the ethical views and behavior of those who attend religious services and those who do not—both groups have a problem being ethical. Thus, religious involvement is not the same thing as a deep spiritual commitment.
Trustworthiness
“Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” (Proverbs 20:6). Here is a contrast between profession and reality (Matthew 7:21). The verse reminds us that truly faithful friends are going to be few and far between. “It is rare to find one on whom you may actually depend” (Gaebelein p. 1041). Here we also learn that people tend to tell those things that are personally commendable. Many who claim to have these virtues are guilty of false advertising. (1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; Revelation 2:10 “Be thou faithful unto death”; Matthew 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant”). Included in the category of trustworthiness are the following virtues:
· Honesty:
“The most common level of integrity is what I call ‘out of trouble’ honesty. At this level people are motivated to be honest by fear of reprisal. Other people have a kind of ‘selective honesty’. At this level of integrity they decide which areas of integrity they will obey and hope their obedience to these few areas will overcome disobedience to the rest. Commonly, they compare themselves to others on the basis of their strengths, but are not interested in learning about their own weaknesses or in making a change” (Sherman p. 65). By contrast, Biblical honesty includes honesty in our communications (Ephesians 4:25 “Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor”). This involves expressing the truth as best we know it and not attempting to mislead or deceive. Honesty in our speech includes: Truthfulness: Which is simply presenting the facts to the best of our knowledge. Remember, being wrong is not necessarily the same thing as lying, even though honest mistakes can still cause damage. Getting our facts wrong may cause people to view our future presentations with suspicion. “A trustworthy witness will not lie” (Proverbs 14:5). Sincerity: “Sincerity is genuineness, being without trickery or duplicity. It precludes all acts, including half-truths, out-of-context statements, and even silence, that are intended to create beliefs or leave impressions that are untrue or misleading”. See the example of Acts 5:1ff. Candor: Honesty, at times, may also require forthrightness and frankness, giving information which may hurt the other person but is what the other person needs to know “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6). Remember, love values the soul of our loved one and values the truth far more than what is comfortable or convenient (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). An “open rebuke” is a frank, direct word of honest criticism. “A true friend gives time and attention but it is not always flattering” (Garrett p. 216). The verse seems to infer that most friendships will need this type of love, that is, true friendship involves a price and a risk. It seems to me that many people claim they want friends and relationships, but they want friends who will turn a blind eye to their sins at the same time. ‘Honesty in conduct”: Means playing by the rules, without stealing, fraud, and other deceptive schemes. At this point some complain that cheating in reference to small matters is not a big deal, after all, the world is full of people who are doing far worse. This attitude may be summarized in the expression, “Stop picking on me and go after the real crooks”. Yet consider this following passage: “Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel” (Proverbs 20:17). God is even concerned about how we pay for our daily bread. In addition, cheating only brings short-term pleasure. The after-taste of sin is typically bad. “God does care about our honesty at every level. In fact honesty and dishonesty are both habit forming. What we do in the small issues of life sets the stage for bigger issues” (Sherman p. 71). Jesus noted, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10). We therefore need to resist the temptation of saying something like, “Well, if I inspected every little thing I did, I would never get anything done”. Being faithful in the small things does not really take any more time than being dishonest in small things. And the commitment to ethics in the small things prepares us for temptations where there is much more at stake. There are times when people try to justify lying in their own lives by giving examples of police undercover operations, or spying in time of war. Yet people are only kidding themselves, lying in order to hit a management pleasing sales target, winning a game, or avoiding confrontation has nothing to do with catching the bad guys. “Deceitful are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6). The verse warns us against going through life and pretending in our relationships. Honesty in conduct means that we refrain from pretending to be someone’s friend, or pretending that we are working hard, when we are not (Ephesians 6:6). In addition, Jesus warned us that in the religious realm a number of people will pretend to be friends of the truth, when in reality they are wolves(Matthew 7:15; Jude 4).
· Integrity:
The English word integrity comes from the same Latin root as integer, which means a whole number. The person with integrity is a whole person, undivided and complete. Such a person is authentic and for real, they are not pretending to be anything other that what they really are. Yet note, there is no moral credit for making no pretense about being a real sinner. Being genuine or authentic only counts when one is genuinely good! (Titus 1:15-16). The ethical person acts according to their beliefs, and not according to expediency. He or she is also consistent. “There is no difference in the way he or she makes decisions from situation to situation, her principles do not vary at work or at home, in public or alone”. Joseph and Daniel are two powerful examples of integrity (Genesis 39:9; 6:10). Circumstances did not shift their personal morals or faith. “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him” (Proverbs 20:7). This verse reveals the foolishness of fathers and parents who argue that bending the rules is justified for the sake of gaining material possessions for their children. “It answers the temptation to ‘get on’ at all costs for the children’s sake” (Kidner p. 137). “Children who have parents they can’t respect are to be pitied” (Alden p. 149). Compare with Psalms 37:25-26; 112:2. “The line describes a parent who believes in the Lord and lives out the claims of his faith” (Gaebelein p. 1042). This is a wonderful verse for it notes that some people do conduct themselves with integrity and leave behind a solid family heritage. “This text provides reason to hope for good in future generations, something the cynic never has” (Garrett p. 176). We must reject the cynic’s argument that all religious parents are hypocrites, or that the more faithful you are the better the chances that your children will reject Christianity. This verse also answers the often leveled criticism that it is impossible live in the world and remain consistent to the teachings of Scripture.
· Reliability (Promise Keeping):
When we make a promise to someone else, we need to realize that we are undertaking special moral duties. Making a promise means accepting the responsibility to make all reasonable efforts to fulfill our commitment. This means that we avoid the bad-faith excuses that were used so often by the Pharisees (Matthew 23:16-22). Often people attempt to wiggle out of their commitments are seeking to re-interpret what they promised. We need to interpret our promises fairly and honestly. Do not try to justify noncompliance. In addition, we need to avoid making unwise commitments, or unclear commitments. Remember the direct command from God, “pay what you vow” (Ecclesiastes 5:4). We live in a society in which talk is cheap. Especially when facing a crisis we often promise all sorts of things to God if only He will see us through this trial in our lives. But once the trial is over, we often forget such fervent promises. Good intentions, pious words and sincere prayers do not make up for a failure to keep what we have pledged. The verse infers that foolish people make rash promises without considering the cost of what they are promising. The basic “pie-crust promise” is easily made and easily broken. Yet notice that God is not impressed by the typical human excuse, that such was a “mistake” (5:6). Especially do not claim that making a commitment to God, entering into a marriage (both serious vows), or assuming a financial commitment was a mistake.
· Loyalty:
There are times when it seems like loyalty among men is a rare trait, “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men” (Psalm 12:1). Among the ancients, loyalty was a problem, “untrustworthy” (Romans 1:21), and Paul notes that it’s absence will continue to plague mankind (2 Timothy 3:2). Remember, first and foremost our loyalty is to be directed towards God, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This means that friends, family, coworkers, employers and others do not have a right to expect us to rank their interests above ethical considerations. “No one has the right to ask another to sacrifice ethical principles in the name of a special relationship. Indeed, one forfeits a claim of loyalty when he or she asks so high a price for maintaining the relationship”. This means that an employer does not have a moral right to ask a person to sacrifice mate and children for the sake of the company. There is a definite ranking of loyalties. God is first (Luke 14:26). After that, I do have a specific obligation to care for my wife and my children, which supersedes the interests of other individuals (Ephesians 6:4; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 5:22ff). Loyalty involves keeping some information confidential, but we are never required to keep a secret that would result in a breaking of God’s law.
The benefits of Integrity
· Impact upon our families: “He who profits illicitly troubles his own house” (Proverbs 15:27); “A righteous man who walks in his integrity how blessed are his sons after him” (20:7).
· Impact upon the people around us”: Matthew 5:16
· Impact on our relationship with God: Psalm 15:1
· Impact upon saving others: Titus 2:9-10
· Impact on ourselves: Proverbs 10:9
