Faithful on Fridays Blog

Integrity and Family

Before my trip I wrote to you about the integrity of Job. “…He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (Job 2:3b NLT)

One of the scriptures I was studying for that message is from King Solomon, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. “(Proverbs 20:7 NLT)

When we are tempted our first thought is often that no one will know. As a little child I remember my mother telling me that even if she doesn’t know, God does. Hers was a threat of punishment but in one way, not the punishment part, she was right. God sees your every move: good or bad. Making choices in life based on integrity, in reality, affects your family. King Solomon wrote that verse and he was the wisest man on earth, according to God. He made good choices throughout most of his reign as King of Israel until he was confronted with a temptation from which he didn’t run. The end of his life and his drop in integrity show us a broken man, not whole and complete as the Hebrew word showed us in the other message. His was a dysfunctional family. His sons were rebellious and the Kingdom was split apart; all because a father (or mother) who didn’t maintain integrity.

For those of you who are parents, watch where you step; it will affect your family eventually. Know what your temptations are and stay away from them! Ask the Lord for help to make decisions knowing that your example can lead your children into blessing. Children always look to their parents, how they act and react to situations, frustrations, or disappointment, and they will pattern your behavior. The direction of your life can lead them into God’s blessing and much less sorrow.

I know that many of my blessings come from a mother who walked like Job; with complete integrity. She feared God and stayed away from evil. She wasn’t perfect by any means, but she always tried to honor her Lord in what she said and did; I want the same for my kids and grandkids. My mother died four years ago at the age of 94 and is now enjoying the supreme blessing of being face-to-face with her Lord. My family is still experiencing the blessing that comes from her integrity; don’t you want to leave that same legacy?

Faithful readers, I want you to know that I pray for you as I write these messages. My hope is that we can grow together in Him and maintain complete integrity until His return. Be blessed this week, you and your family, as your children follow you in your walk of integrity.