How can we as preservers of the society be preserved?
This is a continuation of the subject I began in the last devotional.
Integrity a powerful preserver
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. Psalm 25:21
Integrity and uprightness keep us constant regardless of our circumstances. Salt shouldn’t change, but it needs to be a changing agent. An upright person has learned to remain the same and not give in to taking shortcuts. A person of integrity waits on God to do His work on his/her behalf. Those who choose to manipulate, lie, or take shortcuts may reach their goal, but they are not preserved because they will eventually get caught in their ways! I would rather be preserved by my Lord than reach my goal. Wouldn’t you?
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13
Jesus declared in the Sermon on the Mount that if salt loses its saltiness, it has lost its purpose and value. We are called to remain true to our identity as His children and not cave in to the pressure of those around us. Integrity and uprightness preserve our potency in a dark and defiled world!
Discretion Preserves
Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you. Proverbs 2:11
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3
If we are going to be persevered, we have to guard our mouths from saying things that are inappropriate, cutting, divisive, or excessive. In the age of social media where thousands can be reached with a click of a button, it becomes more critical to be thoughtful about what is shared and how much is shared.
In the last few months, I have noticed that some are posting very personal information on Facebook in the hope of reaching a few for Christ. The problem is there are many people reading their posts who don’t necessarily care about spiritual things. People such as their current employer or prospective employer can perceive the information negatively and have it be a detriment to the individual.
What we share should pass the following tests:
1. Is this the right forum to share the information? Do we know our audience?
2. Is this helpful to those who hear it?
3. How much information is appropriate to be shared?
Our families including our children have the right to privacy, and we can’t share information about them in the name of ministry or transparency that has not been approved by them.
We never regret having discretion in sharing information because it can preserve us and our relationships. On the other hand, not showing discretion can cause much regret. It could damage our relationships, and we could lose the trust of those around us.