Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This week we will seek wisdom from God regarding integrity. We’ll begin with the Holy Spirit calling God’s Application Programming Interfaces from His Word in our lives.

In today’s scripture, James 1:22 (AMP), believers are admonished…
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

Consider…
I am fascinated with computer programming. The geek in me enjoys seeing the script used to efficiently execute multiple commands that allow users to have a plethora of information at their fingertips. With just a few simple keystrokes, answers to questions appear like magic. Talking to programmers, I learned the retrieval and return of information by computer programs isn’t magical, it’s all logical based on knowing and going to where the information is stored and simply accessing it when requested.

One fascinating tool that I learned programmers used, is called API. API stands for Application Programming Interface. In the context of APIs, the word Application refers to any software with a distinct function. Interface can be thought of as a contract of service between two applications. This contract defines how the two communicate with each other using requests and responses.

What makes APIs fascinating to me, is rather than rewriting another software’s program, the programmer writes a succinct command that says, call this other program and apply these variables. An example is if you have ever logged into your bank account online and accessed either your credit card or online bill pay. When you click on either link, you’re redirected to a different site that contains information and access to what you’re seeking to view, edit or create; transactions, bill or credit card related.

Another example of an API is the hyperlink to the daily song that I include in ‘Morning Blessings’. When you click on the hyperlink, you will notice that it takes you to YouTube.

Today’s scripture makes me think of ‘integrity’ as God’s API. By admonishing believers to be doers of the His Word, He’s saying apply what you know.

For example the Apostle Paul gave us practical applications of what a new life in Christ should look like. He tells us in Ephesians 4:21‭-‬24 (NLT)…
Since you have HEARD about Jesus AND have LEARNED the TRUTH that comes from him,… throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception… Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes… Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

In programming syntax God is using an ‘if error then call’ also known as a ‘when then clause’ routine. Here’s how that programming would be written for Paul’s practical examples in Ephesians 4:25‭-‬32…

• When tempted to follow our old nature of lying, then the Holy Spirit calls our new nature of telling the truth.
• When tempted to follow our old nature of stealing, then the Holy Spirit calls our new nature of using hands for good and blessing others.
• When tempted to use abusive language, then the Holy Spirit calls our new nature of using encouraging words.
• When our old nature of bitterness, anger, and rage rises, then the Holy Spirit calls our new nature of tenderheartedness and forgiveness like God.

Those are just a few of God’s APIs that make us doers rather than just hearers of God’s word.

Another familiar set of APIs found in Galatians 5:19-23, where God says when we’re tempted to follow our sinful nature desires…

• sexual immorality
• impurity
• lustful pleasures
• idolatry
• sorcery
• hostility
• quarreling
• jealousy
• outbursts of anger
• selfish ambition
• dissension
• division,
• envy
• drunkenness
• wild parties
• and other sins like these
  …then the Holy Spirit calls our new nature to activate…
• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• and self-control

I do indeed see the Fruit of the Spirit as one of God’s APIs where the Holy Spirit calls our new nature to activate, and the error of our old nature to deactivate when it tries to control our lives again.

What’s important to understand is that the Holy Spirit isn’t developing new information, when He calls our new nature application to activate in our real life circumstances, rather He’s accessing God’s Word and allow it to activate in us. By God’s new nature, Word syntax can be found in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT), which says…
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Here’s how this all comes together.
God gave us the Holy Spirit to activate His API to help us apply and interface His word in our daily lives. As a result, we are able to be doers of God’s Word by demonstrating the integrity of our profession of faith in God.

Today’s song is…
Lead Me, Guide Me

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)