In a world that is falling into increasing deception, we must be resolved to love the truth and to tell the truth without compromise. What makes something a treasure is that it is rare, and as integrity becomes increasingly rare, we must resolve that it is a treasure we will protect with the utmost diligence. One of the most important ways that we build our life on integrity is to obey what Jesus said in Matthew 5:37: "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.”

     Contrary to His truth, children are often raised today by parents that don’t really mean “yes,” or “no” until they have repeated it many times and raised their voice to a certain decibel level. Or they learn that they can change the “yes” or “no” easily with a little pressure or manipulation. By this we condition them to believe that we don’t really mean what we say, and this carries on to them believing later that superiors at work or authorities don’t really mean what they say. Worse, it has carried over so that to them The Lord does not really mean what He says, which is the trap that our first parents fell into and this is at the root of most falls since.  

     This condition of not being able to hear or follow clear orders is getting increasingly costly, and sometimes deadly. In the military, to not hear and follow orders draws the most severe penalties because the potential cost is so high, putting many at risk—potentially the entire force, or even the nation they’re defending. In the civilian sector, the penalty may not be that dramatic, but it is costly. It is also costly in relationships when one is found to be so undependable that they do not really mean what they say.

     This one thing is causing an increasing fracturing of our country. We don’t believe our political leaders anymore. We don’t believe the media. The courts are no longer trustworthy or consistent. Businesses are constantly caught in devious behavior, and universities are going insane. Certainly we are in the times noted in Hebrews 12:27 when “everything that can be shaken will be shaken.” So what is the remedy?

     Honesty, integrity, and consistent behavior are the foundations of “a good name,” and this will become increasingly valuable. Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth.” The meltdown of integrity, morality, discipline, and the devotion to truth has caused a rising hunger for the valuable qualities. The growing darkness and depression caused by the meltdown of trust will cause those who walk in the light to stand out more. As we see in Isaiah 60:1-3, which describes our times, the Light wins. Ultimately, the nations will come to the Light.

     Again, one of the most important things we can do to be prepared for these times is resolve that we will not be taken over by the spirit of the age. Rather, we will have a different spirit. When trust in virtually everything is shaken, we must resolve that we will be trustworthy.

     To be trustworthy means to be worthy of trust. As the world is becoming increasingly divided, the body of Christ will become increasingly unified. The Lord prayed for His people to be unified in John 17 so that the world would know that He was sent by The Father. Soon unity will be so rare that those who are in unity will stand out as a great light.

     Unity must and will be built on trust. All relationships are built on trust. Trust is the bridge that connects us to each other. The weight of what can be carried across that bridge will depend on the strength of the trust. To grow in the unity that will be required to navigate these times together will depend on each of us becoming more trustworthy, because our “yes” really does mean “yes” and our “no” really does mean “no.”

     Is not our faith in God the result of us having a history of His word being true? This is why the first attack of Satan was to get Adam and Eve to doubt God’s word. If he can shake our trust in God’s words, then he has shaken our trust in God. Therefore, if we are going to be trusted, we too must ensure that our words are true.

     So as we are resolved to be devoted to truth, we should be true first to ourselves, and then to our families, the church, and any group we might be a part of. Truth and trustworthiness will be most valuable commodities in these times of increasing chaos and confusion.

     We must also see the chaos and confusion of nations as the opportunities that they are for the Gospel of the kingdom. In the first mention of The Holy Spirit in Scripture, He is moving upon the chaos that this world once was. Look at the incredible creation that was brought forth out of the chaos. The Holy Spirit knows how to move upon chaos and bring order, beauty, and life.

      So as we see chaos and disorder increasing, we should expect the The Holy Spirit to do something remarkable. Just as true warriors run to the sound of battle, not away from it, those who know The Holy Spirit will run to the chaos and confusion to see what He will do and be available to help. He is “The Helper”—it is His nature to help, and so it will be with all who are filled with The Spirit. A main way that we can help now is to be devoted to truth and to The Spirit of Truth.