Parental Integrity

The teacher never used the word “integrity” but as I listened to some audio lessons on the life of Paul, that was what I heard.  The Apostle Paul lived a life of integrity.  

Paul’s repeated trials and his own defense of his actions made me realize that it is rare to hear about a man in such big trouble with earthly authorities standing strong and speaking the truth.  He had arrived in Jerusalem and was teaching at the temple when Jews from Asia came in and tried to persuade the Jerusalem Jews that he was teaching against the Law of God. They lied about his allowing Greeks in the temple and defiling it. 

The people were so stirred up that they had started to beat Paul in an effort to kill him. They were stopped by the arrival of the commander of the Roman military and his soldiers. Paul was arrested at the insistence of the crowd as they shouted false accusations against him. All of this happened outside the gates of the temple.  (Acts 21) 

Paul, under arrest, asks permission to speak and gets it. He addresses the crowd that had just tried to kill him. He explains who he was as a persecutor of Christians. (Acts 22:4). Then he tells them of his conversion on the road to Damascus. He confesses Christ as His Savior but the minute he tells His Jewish audience that he is being sent to the Gentiles they scream for his execution.  

Paul continues to be tried and to speak the truth. He never once altered his story to get himself out of jail or away from the leaders who could execute him. Once he made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ he lived for Him. He did not compromise on principles or show the fear of man. He consistently spoke and lived the truth of the Word of God.  

So, we are not Paul. We have not been called by God to write many books of the Bible. We are not subject to the kind of persecution that Paul would face for many years of his life. His own list of the suffering he went through for the name of Jesus would devastate most of us (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). But what does his example say to us? 

Integrity is important to God. When we profess our faith in Christ we, too, must walk in a way that demonstrates our relationship with Him. Women have a particularly important role to play because early on we have a special influence on the children God gives us. Our actions and words will help to determine the way a child will live. That is truly an awesome responsibility.  

God’s Word says we are to respect our husbands, to leave our parents and cleave to them. Our children will learn about marriage by the way we live by those words from God. 

The Bible instructs us to discipline our children so they will learn to understand God’s authority. We are to teach them the word of God – when we stand and when we sit and when we walk along the road (Deuteronomy 6). If the Bible does not direct the way we live we should not be surprised when it is not the law for our children.  

Our lives are to be full of integrity. If we are going to church, sitting on the Women’s’ ministry committee, or teaching Sunday School but failing to live by that word in our homes, our children see hypocrites. They will, most likely, follow our example, and be hypocrites, too.  

How do we treat other people? The Proverbs are full of admonitions to speak kind words, not to stir up anger or dissension, and to live in peace. Tone of voice and choice of words will teach a child that they are loved or they are a pain. They will treat others as we treat them.  

If we are claiming to be Christians and not living by the Word of God then we are the hypocrites and there will be no blessing in living without integrity. If we say one thing and do another we lack character. Perhaps because of the fear of man, perhaps to feed the desires of the flesh, either way God is not honored and we are teaching the next generation by our actions.   

As Paul was consistent, are you and I consistent in habits and speech? Do we mean what we say? Do we follow God’s Word in the way we live and speak? Are we setting godly examples for our children and grandchildren to follow?  

The study I listened to was a blessing, a reminder of how important it is that I set an example of integrity in everything I do. The Apostle Paul had many spiritual children though I am not sure he had biological children. Nevertheless, he was a living example of this biblical truth from Proverbs 20:7, ”The righteous who walks in his integrity– blessed are his children after him!”