KEY SCRIPTURE: John 1:47 KJV “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”

Sincerity is such an important topic, worthy of clarity and understanding. One character of the scripture that teaches us about sincerity is Joseph. Joseph was the first son of Rachel, the choice of Jacob among his two wives. Joseph was very dear to his father, meaning he stayed very close to him. Joseph would certainly receive lots of tutelage from Jacob his father, whose life went through so much pain, because of insincerity in his youthful years. He would not want his cherished son to go through that kind of experience he went through. Parents, make sure you instruct your children about walking in the paths of truth always. Remember to set the right examples for them. A good example is the best gift you can give your child.

In Gen 37:2, Joseph would never condone with his brothers to conceal the wrong things they did as they sent out   their flocks to graze. When Joseph found himself in Potiphar’s house his sincerity, which won him God’s favour, soon distinguished him, among the many slaves there. His master put everything in the house under his care. The Bible said Potiphar’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, lie with me. (Gen 39:7). When she demanded sex from Joseph, he said the following to her Gen 39:9 KJV “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? In Joseph’s answer to the woman, two things stood out.

1. Great wickedness against his master

2. Sin against God.

The above points stated by Joseph are basically the two major requirement for sincerity, and they are apparently the two main commandments stated by the Lord Jesus. Matt 22:37,39

1. Love the Lord with all thy heart, soul and mind.

2. Love your neighbour as yourself.

The first point also amounts to fearing the Lord. Fear for God is to depart from evil. To demonstrate sincerity, you place God first, others second, yourself last. To turn the order, the other way round is what breeds insincerity of various forms. whether it is unfaithfulness in marriage, stealing from your boss, manipulating others to extort from them, politicians stealing state funds or any form, the basis is going against the order Jesus has set for us. In Joseph’s story his sincerity rewarded him to become the next in command to the king. Great rewards await you, so be sincere.

THOUGHT: THOSE WHO REGARD THEMSELVES TOO HIGH, EASILY FALL INTO SELFISH LONGINGS.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Timothy 3:2 KJV “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

Philippians 2:3 KJV” Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”