February 20 - Choices for Honesty

A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.  Psalm 15:1-5

Just like David—if we want to dwell with God, we must walk in integrity—honestly before the Lord. No slander, no evil, but honoring God and those around him. 

We have dear friends who were missionaries in Africa for many years. We love hearing them tell stories about their life there. One of her favorite stories is of her husband refusing to pay a bribe—and that is just what he did again when he and my husband went to Peru on a mission trip to show the Jesus film. He refused to pay for a movie projector to clear customs. For people in other countries bribes are just a way of life—but for honest Christians and Americans, that is not normal, honorable or necessary. Our friend is above reproach—a man of highest integrity. He would neither pay, offer nor require a bribe. He speaks the truth with God’s love.  

Training Tip – Choices. Make a small board game with questions for choices that people/kids make. Reward good choices with tokens or additional spaces around the board. Poor choices could result in having to go back spaces. The winner is the one who gets around the board first…with the most tokens, if used. 

Lord – Help us to make good choices that show our honesty.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.