I love the old King James Bible.

Something about the archaic language makes my heart sing. I’m forced to slowly consider each word and sentence to draw out the meaning, which might otherwise be lost to familiarity.

Words change over centuries, their meanings adapted to the times.

One word that’s been causing me to ponder is prominent in the letters of Peter.

“Conversation”

As in, “Having your conversation honest” (1 Peter 2:12 KJV)

Or, “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” (2 Peter 3:11 KJV)

And, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation” (1 Peter 1:18 KJV)

Conversation here refers to how we act and live of course, not just how we speak.

To my modern ears, the correspondence between conversation and conduct is striking. Encapsulated in this one word is what’s spoken and the lifestyle that embodies what’s said.

Speak right. Live right.

Say it, do it.

Your words and your life aligned.

Harnessing the tongue so the feet will follow.

It’s the perfect way to describe integrity.

Just one word, with a massive assumption baked in.

That you will do what you say.

Selah.