Tag: christianity

“Loose lips sink ships.”

This timeless phrase, born in the urgency of World War II, reminds us of the weight of our words. Back then, soldiers and citizens alike were cautioned to guard their speech because a careless word could jeopardize lives. But what about today? Are we as careful with what we say, and do our words still carry such significance?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus underscores the importance of our words. He reveals that words are not mere sounds; they are reflections of our hearts and wield the power to create or destroy. Jesus’ message goes beyond outward behavior, urging us to embrace a life transformed by God’s presence and truth.

The Problem with Promises

Promises, oaths, and commitments are familiar to us all. Yet, we’ve all experienced the sting of broken promises—whether we’ve been let down by someone else or failed to keep our own word. Jesus’ teaching addresses the problem of empty promises and manipulative speech. In ancient times, people swore oaths to enhance their credibility, often invoking God’s name or sacred symbols. However, this practice quickly became a way to manipulate and deceive while bypassing accountability.

Jesus challenges this behavior by saying:

“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. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil”

Matthew 5v34-37

He calls us to a higher standard: truthfulness without the need for embellishment or external validation.

God: The Ultimate Promise Keeper

The foundation of integrity lies in God’s character. Scripture tells us that God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. From His covenant with Abraham to salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s word is trustworthy and unchanging. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this same truthfulness in our lives.

The theologian J. Vernon McGee said it well: “God’s Word is as good as He is.” When we honor our word, we mirror God’s faithfulness and demonstrate that His reputation is safe in our hands.

Integrity in Action

Living a life of integrity means cultivating a greater awareness of God’s presence and committing to honest communication. Here are practical steps to help us align our words with God’s truth:

1. Weigh Your Words
   • Before making a promise, ask yourself: “Can I truly deliver on this?”
   • Be honest and clear—a simple “yes” or “no” is better than an insincere or exaggerated commitment.
2. Examine Your Relationships
   • Reflect on whether you are consistent in your interactions.
   • Avoid creating false impressions or using manipulation to influence others.
3. Practice Honesty
   • Return extra change when it’s given to you by mistake.
   • Admit your mistakes and take steps to make things right.
4. Embrace Silence
   • Speak less and listen more. Thoughtful communication builds trust and credibility.
5. Ask for Help
   • Integrity is not achieved by willpower alone. Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth and transform your heart.

The Call to Simplicity

Jesus’ call to simplicity in our speech is a profound challenge in a world filled with spin, exaggeration, and curated images. When we let our “yes” mean yes and our “no” mean no, we stand as witnesses to the truth in a culture that often distorts it.

As followers of Christ, our words matter. They have the power to build or break trust, to reflect or distort God’s nature. Jesus invites us to live authentically, where integrity flows naturally from hearts transformed by His presence. This week, consider how you can weigh your words, practice honesty, and rely on God’s strength to live with integrity. Let’s be people whose words align with God’s truth, pointing others to His unwavering faithfulness.

M

This post is based on a message originally given at the Crosspoint Church on December 1st, 2024¹

1. https://www.youtube.com/live/OzRBY1EnbgE?si=h7h8YUZJoDFijoBC ↩︎

To be a pastor’s kid is like being invited to a magnificent feast. The table is laden with delights, each dish carefully prepared to nourish and satisfy. No one can force you to partake, but they can show you the beauty of the feast, name every dish, and equip you with the tools to eat until your soul is full, again and again. Yet, many pastor’s kids sit at this table, starving, and walk away. The wine spoils, and the veal has gone bad—or so it seems. Still, deep down, they know whose table it is. They know the joy He finds in sharing it with them. And so, despite their hunger or disillusionment, they can return—without shame, without guilt—and savor His presence once more.

Every pastor’s kid’s story is unique. However, they’re people like everyone else. Like generations before them, they stand at the edge of victory or destruction. For ministry children, they risk great rewards and really – tragedy. And yet, God is continually working to use adversity for our good because He loves us. So, every journey has the potential to be a redemption story.

Many pastors’ kids, like others, have a journey that mirrors the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15). We wander, often painfully, before finding our way back. But in return, we discover the beginning as if for the first time—those familiar smells and rich soul foods that we hunger and thirst for, more vivid and powerful. Now, we encounter the feast with greater fervor and depth. It’s a paradox: years of hardship and failure condensed into a crucible of transformation, forging a faith that burns bright and true.

Though the path is steep, and the pain often more than I can bear myself, I find myself grateful. Being the child of a preacher taught me lessons about my Lord and Savior that I might never have learned otherwise. While some people coast through life without wrestling with God, ministry children are born into the fire. They are invited into something bigger, beyond and greater than themselves. And for that, as hard as it has been, I am profoundly thankful.

M

this article was originally written for pastorskids.org¹

When Heaven meets earth, worlds collide.

²⁰ Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed, ²¹ nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

Luke 17v20-21

The logo for this blog isn’t because I really love Venn diagrams (but honestly who doesn’t?), but it represents the contents of my heart and the substance of my life – the Kingdom life. Now, I can’t claim to follow Jesus perfectly, but despite my many mishaps and struggles, I continue on.

The religious leaders of the time didn’t realize it, but Jesus himself was at the epi-center of heaven and earth. They were looking for a revolution, a king and militant cout d’etat – but Jesus came as a working class man from a backwater town nobody took seriously. He came lowly and humble. In many ways and more, He was unexpected, disappointing and even when He was right before theirs eyes they could not see that the Kingdom of God was within arms reach. They could reach out and touch it. They could touch Him.

The kingdom of God is not a place, organization or vigilant takeover to free the oppressed by force. It is the rule and reign of Jesus. Where He is, there is the Kingdom. When we obey His teachings and do His will – there is the Kingdom.

As followers of Jesus, we too intend to stand in the intersection between heaven and earth. This thin place, where we sit with Jesus, learn at His feet and obey what He has commanded. It’s not an easy life, and many don’t choose to live it, but it’s never dull and it’s changed everything. Life in the kingdom has many stories. This collection aims to tell them.

Grace and Peace

M