Trustworthy: An idea or an ideal?

At the beginning of a scout meeting we recite the scout oath and the law. When we recite the law it starts of with a Scout is trustworthy but, what does being trustworthy mean. We can go with the generic it means not to tell a lie but what is its deeper meaning. The Bible says in John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Christ is telling us the way to salvation but, in this statement He also tells us that He is truth. In Proverbs 11:13 it says "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." If we believe in Christ we already have the first step in becoming trustworthy for Christ is truth itself. The second step is not to slander or demean something that you are involved with or, demeaning someone that you are close to for that is being untrustworthy. Being trustworthy is having a spirit that covers a multitude of sins and wrongdoings toward you or something or someone that you care for. The 1911 Boy Scouts of America Handbook says about being trustworthy "A Scout's honor is to be trusted. If he were to violate his honor by telling a lie or by cheating or by not doing exactly a given task, when trusted on his honor, he may be directed to hand over his Scout badge" As scouts what our handbook tells us is to always make sure that your honor is spotless. Not to lie or cheat when doing a task. Lastly when we swear on something on our honor as scouts the only thing that is even more sacred than our scouting honor is our Christian honor. As Christians our handbook (The Holy Bible) tells us that the way to being a trustworthy Christian is first by having accepted Christ Jesus as Lord of our life and secondly by never slandering or demeaning someone or something. A Christian scout above all should have the reputation of being dependable, honorable, trustworthy and above all we should have the reputation of people seeing God's love shining through us. I hope that during the next two weeks before our next meeting that you pray and meditate on what has been said in this blog. I also hope you use what has been written in this post to help you all to strive to become trustworthy. A former Scout leader of mine once told me that "we are all imperfect people being guided by God". I share that wisdom with all of you we are all imperfect there are times we will be untrustworthy but, we should all strive to hear what God is guiding us to do in our walk with Him to become more trustworthy. In closing I started this post with a question Trustworthy: an idea or an ideal? I believe that being trustworthy is an ideal. I believe it is an ideal because of the quote from Jesus I am the truth. Also as scouts we are directed to be trustworthy in our oath. When we say that oath we pledge it on our sacred honor not only as scouts but also as Christians.

-David N. Tarantino