James series – “The Litmus Test for life”

James 5:12

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

• The indications of individual integrity 

So, why is individual integrity such a big deal? Well, for one thing, it’s commanded. Ephesians 4:25 says, “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” It’s based on relationship not rules. Christ commands integrity because of the impact it has on our relationships with each other. When Jesus saves us, He saves us into His body, the local church. And as the body of Christ, we are members of one another. Lying and dishonesty is like a cancer that destroys that body. Colossians 3:9 says, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.” When Jesus saves us, our old deceiving nature is nailed to His cross and put to death so that we can be raised to walk in the newness of life. That newness doesn’t include the deeds of deadness. According to John 8:44 those deeds come from the devil, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Why is integrity so important? Because when we do things to destroy our integrity we are acting like children of the devil. Lying is Satan’s native language, who do we most resemble when we lie? Who is influencing us when we lie? Whose language are we speaking when we lie? Your integrity matters because it identifies you as either belonging to the Savior or Satan. If your life is marked by a persistent pattern of a lack of integrity, then you need to check your heart. If Satan is the father of lies, and you consistently lie like he does, then odds are, he’s your father not God. Which means not only are you hurting your relationships, but you are on a heading for hell. It’s harsh, but it’s true. How do I know? Because in this Bible, I have before me pure truth. And that truth testifies to Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If the integrity test has revealed that the truth is not in you, you need to know that He can be. Because truth is not a concept but a person. And I know Him, for He lives in me and clothes me in His integrity. So that even when I stumble. Even when I sometimes fail. He is my integrity. Do you know the Truth? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Way, as your Truth, and your Life?