Taking It to Work:
Being a person of The Word, and being a person of your word, has a very strong connection. We profess a God who is unfailing in His promises, who declares in writing what He will do and what He will not do, who assures us of His perfect commitment even when we’re imperfect toward Him. A covenant-making-and-keeping God who never speaks or promises falsely. A God we are called to emulate. And in a world that is running rampant with ruse and deception, in a culture that is trying to convince us that what we always knew was true, isn’t, and what we always believed was wrong, isn’t, we the Christians, need to be the steady column of truth. We need to be the steady beacon of reliability and trustworthiness in a world that is not only telling lies, but is convinced themselves that those lies are true.
In the workplace there is a very practical application of this. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t tell the boss you’ll have it Thursday when you know it will likely be Monday or Tuesday. Don’t tell the customer that you’ll get back to him today, and then get busy with other things and leave him hanging. Don’t avoid the phone call, or not share the facts, because you’re really uncomfortable with being honest about the situation. You’re a representation of Christ, and He calls you higher than that.
When people hear you speak, they should hear the truth, not in a “like-it-or-not” or “cram-it-down-their-throat” way, but in a way that is sensitive to the situation, but honest in its assessment.
When they see you act, they should see a reliability and great effort in always trying to keep those due dates, and delivering what you said you would deliver. That is a reflection of our promise-keeping God, and a welcomed change to any boss, team or company for whom you work. And if you are a parent, or grandparent, the same applies. Be there when you said you would. Keep that promise to be at the game. Show up like you said you would at the dance recital. Take them fishing. Don’t make them remind you to keep your word.
Not too long ago, being a man of your word really meant something. It meant that truth mattered, that integrity mattered, that the people that received the promises mattered. Don’t just “tell them what they want to hear.” Do what you say your going to do. Consistently. Your reputation will be one of honesty and integrity, and you will reflect Him, as His Word works in you, today.
Nm 23:19 (ESV) – God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Joshua 21:45 (ESV) – Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Prv 12:19 (ESV) – Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Prv 12:22 (ESV) – Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Col 3:9 (ESV) – Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.
Matt 5:33-37 (ESV) – “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
How do you answer when difficult is the answer? My children do not hide behind falseness. Truth, in all matters, is the way of those who follow Me. Truth and grace are My reflection to all, and through you it also must shine. Gentle correction, and when danger abounds, even strong correction. In truth, the promise, even if that promise does not satisfy the hearer. Do not paint what cannot exist. An honest answer, well-kept, is better than the lie of false ability. Do not promise what you cannot deliver, or to remove what cannot be removed. Be of your word, with no blemish. Your word of truth becomes confidence in your superior – a well-kept date brings calmness for the demands of tomorrow. Speak what is true, and the light of truth will guide your way among many thorns. And in the end, your scratches will heal, and your destination will be one of My holy followers.
