How Honest You Are

Reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19-20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22 15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.” (Matthew 22:15-16 NLT) Even Jesus’ worst enemies had this to say about him; “We know you’re honest, we know you teach God’s truth, we know you are fair and impartial, we know you’re not swayed by public opinion.” These were the people who hated him, who saw him as a threat to their own security, and who were trying to trip him up. They said these words to flatter him, try to get him off guard, and to try to incriminate him, even though they tried to sound sincere. Even though their motives were wrong for what they were saying, the words were true! I’d be glad if my best friends, not to mention my worst enemies, could say these things about me:
• We know how honest you are.
• We know you teach God’s truth accurately.
• We know you are fair and impartial.
• We know you’re not swayed by public opinion. One of this world’s realities is that integrity doesn’t guarantee popularity! I’ve got to choose to live so that my reputation is based on character and not popularity. I believe that this is the Jesus way! Prayer: Father, Please help this son of yours to live, speak, and act in such a way that my reputation among friends and enemies alike grows in these four areas: Honesty, right teaching, fairness, and integrity. May my reputation be based on character and not popularity. I’d like to be liked by everyone, but I’d rather be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!