Telling the truth and keeping promises are two valuable lessons that parents teach their children by example. When we practice these virtues we are actually teaching our children how to trust and have faith. We are not God, and sometimes get it wrong, but our goal should be to pursue integrity before our children (and always) so they may have a model to follow. I remember growing up I used to get so frustrated with my mom. She literally couldn’t tell a lie. She wouldn’t even exaggerate the truth. If someone was calling me on the phone and I didn’t want to talk she wouldn’t tell them that I was gone or unavailable. She wouldn’t compromise the truth. If she didn’t want you to know something, she would just be silent. If she thought something was off, she would call that out to. When I was grown and still living in her house dating, a young man would come to pick me up, and she would ask to see his driver’s license. She would ask him questions, write down all of his information, and then tell him that she needed to be able to tell the police something if I came up missing (TRUTH)! She also was a woman of her word. If she said she was going to do it, then she was sure to deliver. She would write herself notes to remind herself and put things in order to make it happen. Watching her integrity impacted me even before I got saved. Even though I have done many sinful things, there were some things that I just couldn’t do. How much more would I have been convicted if I had the fear of the Lord! I was missing that piece but my children aren’t. When we know Jesus as our Savior we have an advantage in raising children with integrity; when we know better, than we can do better. We cannot withhold truth. We give them the truth according to what is appropriate for their maturity level. As they grow we expound so that they may have a greater understanding. The truth exposes the devil and keeps the door closed for him to come in and wreak havoc. A lie will always be exposed and cause a web of confusion and distrust. Lies cause shame and condemnation to enter while the truth brings relief and conviction to do better. Will they always get it right? NO! Mistakes are inevitable and necessary for growth. Maturity takes place when they learn from their mistakes and choose to do better next time. When we follow through with our promises we are creating expectation and anticipation to receive what we have promised. If we can do what we say, then how much more will God do what He promises? This builds their faith and builds the fruit of patience to have faith to trust and wait on God. Things come up and situations can cause delay to our promises, but we should always be honest and follow through to our best ability even if it’s not in our original timing. Our children often view God how they view us. We should be pressing towards the mark to mirror His character and give them an example that will impact their own character.
John 13:12-17 (NKJV)
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Let’s teach our children by example! Let’s evaluate how they view us. Are we teaching them faith and trust by living out faithfulness and honesty? Let Jesus be our example. We will be blessed by doing the things that we know!
Father, we thank You that You are a God of faithfulness and truth. Forgive us for not always following Your example. We want our children to build integrity by how we live before them. Take away the things that produce bad fruit and build us up in Your ways so that we may bear good fruit that lasts. Let the conviction of the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us into all truth. Show us new ways to impact our children to grow them in truth and faithfulness. Let integrity be their portion while they follow us as we follow you. Help us do what we know to do instead of doing what seems easier at the time. We close the doors to lies and unfaithfulness and ask for forgiveness. The truth will set us and our children free to grow into who You have created us to be. We trust You and expect with great faith and anticipation to fulfill every promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
John 13:12-17 (NKJV)
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Let’s teach our children by example! Let’s evaluate how they view us. Are we teaching them faith and trust by living out faithfulness and honesty? Let Jesus be our example. We will be blessed by doing the things that we know!
Father, we thank You that You are a God of faithfulness and truth. Forgive us for not always following Your example. We want our children to build integrity by how we live before them. Take away the things that produce bad fruit and build us up in Your ways so that we may bear good fruit that lasts. Let the conviction of the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us into all truth. Show us new ways to impact our children to grow them in truth and faithfulness. Let integrity be their portion while they follow us as we follow you. Help us do what we know to do instead of doing what seems easier at the time. We close the doors to lies and unfaithfulness and ask for forgiveness. The truth will set us and our children free to grow into who You have created us to be. We trust You and expect with great faith and anticipation to fulfill every promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!