Peacemaker Wisdom is a series of blog posts that takes a 360-degree look at relational keys to interacting with others from a biblical perspective. This 360-degree look will help each of us handle tension in our relationships with actions that glorifyGod. Subscribe to this blog today.
Proverbs 11:3 (NASB95)3“The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”
Wow, what a powerful Bible verse! This verse has two easily identifiable parts: integrity that guides and crookedness that destroys. These two parts are critical for wisdom in our everyday relationships. I recognize that this is not our everyday language, but I think it is helpful in gaining wisdom from God’s word.
Let’s start with integrity that guides.
Peacemaker Wisdom #4 of 360:
Integrity that guides.
Proverbs 11:3 (NASB95)
3“The integrity of the upright will guide them…”
First let’s define integrity. Peacemaker’s definition of integrity.
in·teg·ri·ty | \in-ˈte-grə-tē the quality of consistently speaking and living out the truth in love by having a strong biblical foundation with principles that guide one to authentic moral uprightness.
In our relationships, if integrity that is founded in biblical core values does not guide us we will have a high level of tension. A lack of integrity will break trust which causes tension. A lack of integrity will also make us second-guess the direction of the relationship as a whole causing conflict. Finally, a lack of integrity will always keep our relationships walking on egg shells which causes frustration and fear.
Let’s quickly brainstorm hallmarks of integrity and measure how we are doing in our relationships.
Prayer: Heavenly Father guide me to and through your integrity. Help me to accurately measure myself. Search me and show me lord. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Question #1: In my present relationships, how would I rate myself in interacting with honor?
Measure:
Corrupt Honorable
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Question #2: In my present relationships, how would I rate myself in interacting with uprightness?
Measure:
Disgrace Uprightness
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Question #3: In my present relationships, how would I rate myself in interacting with honesty?
Measure:
Dishonesty Honesty
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Question #4: In my present relationships, how would I rate myself in interacting with purity?
Measure:
Impure (Deceit) Pure (Forthright)
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Question #5: In my present relationships, how would I rate myself in interacting with sincerity?
Measure:
Falsehood Sincerity
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Application: Write down some practical actions or behaviors that you can begin to apply to build integrity into your life.
Now let’s look at the other side of the verse – I will spend a little less time on this side because I discussed it above.
Peacemaker Wisdom #4 of 360:
Crookedness that destroys.
Proverbs 11:3 (NASB95)
“…But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”
Crookedness will destroy relationships.
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to see my dishonesty, my corruptness, my falsehood and reveal to me all of my crooked ways. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Review the measurements above. I know it will be easy to see how the other person has acted horribly but truly try to see how you have behaved in a manner less than how God would challenge you to live.
Thank You for taking the time to measure and build wisdom into each of your relationships. Let us know your story of how God is changing your life and bringing peace into your relationships. Email your story to mystory@peacemaker.training
Now go out in peace, live in peace, and make peace.
P. Brian Noble