Saturday Motivation: Walk In Integrity
4th July 2020
Saturday Motivation! Walk In Integrity!
Text:
1. Proverbs 14 v 25; A true witness delivers souls but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
2. Proverbs 11 v 3; The integrity of the upright will guide them but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
What is Integrity?
Integrity is the quality of having strong ethical values and following them at all times.
A person with integrity demonstrates sound moral and ethical principles and does the right thing no matter the condition, situation or circumstance.
To have integrity means that a person is accountable, responsible and truthful and that their actions are internally and externally consistent with their beliefs.
Integrity means strict adherence to principles which involves; choosing the right way whether it is beneficial or not, acting consistently with the way chosen and bold enough to publicly proclaim your choice.
In other words, integrity means making a moral choice, staying committed to the cause or choice made and being able to see it through. Integrity simply means to be trustworthy.
A person with integrity acts with honesty, honor and truthfulness.
Honesty means being truthful, telling the truth or being true.
Honesty means acting according to the values, beliefs and principles we claim to hold.
Honesty can be used as a synonym for integrity but both are quite different.
Integrity means, having strong moral principles based on honesty and both can be used interchangeably.
People who demonstrate integrity draw others to them because they are trustworthy and dependable.
The main difference between honesty and integrity is that a person may be entirely honest without reflecting integrity. An honest person may truthfully say what they believe in without taking the time to verify whether they are right or wrong.However people of integrity speaks verified facts and there is no falsehood in them
What does the Bible say about Integrity?
According to scriptures, integrity /honesty are the opposite of hypocrisy.
Integrity should be the hallmark of our Christian walk.
God is truth and as Christians, we are encouraged to live truthful, faithful lives.
Integrity means acting according to the values, beliefs and principles we claim to hold. In Mark 12 v 14; it was said of Jesus, “We know you are a man of integrity.”
The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionable integrity.
Without integrity, no real success is possible.
God demands that we become people of integrity and one of the ways we can walk with God is by being honest.
God singled Job out as an ideal example of a man of integrity (Job 2 v 3).
The bible has much to say about spiritual integrity, honesty and living a blameless life. It also speaks of sincerity, loyalty, obedience, character and maintaining consistency under pressure.
According to scriptures, a person of integrity is in the habit of making accurate, trustworthy statements about life, self, others and God.
A person of integrity represents himself just as he is and tells others about themselves just as he perceives them to be.
The level of a man`s integrity is a reflection of a man`s character. It is also a way to show faith in God.
In the bible, God made integrity one of His commandments. God cannot lie and since we are made in the image and likeness of God, He wants us to be like Him and set the example for others. God wants us to do His Will at all times.
We must live honestly because even if men cannot see our little acts of dishonesty, God can. Our secret actions must therefore show honesty both in God`s sight and in the sight of men
Steps to Becoming a person of Integrity
1. Let God`s Word speak to you; Develop the attitude of studying the scriptures because thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than silver or gold. John 10 v 10 says; the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
2. Change your focus; As believers, we must make God our focus because when we make Him our focus, we will be at peace and will not focus on our lack, wants and anxieties. We will be able to live in peace and will move our focus away from the troubling situations around us. If we focus on God, whatever worries us will worry Him and He will work things out for us. Philippians 4 v 8 says: Finally brethren, whatever things are true,…are noble,… are just,….are pure,…are lovely,…are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
3. Develop a Quiet time plan with God: As believers, we must cultivate the habit of spending quality time in God`s presence. Our ability to do this stems from our faith and trust in Him. We must be honest when we come to Godand believe that when we pray and trust Him, He will do what He says He will do in our lives. We must be willing to confess our sins and repent from them. Only when we walk in obedience to Godly principles can He truly forgive us and usher us into His Kingdom. 2 Corinthians 10 v 5; says: Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Benefits of Being a person of Integrity
A person of integrity seeks to follow God’s will in everything.
Being a person of integrity does not earn us salvation but it does bring God`s blessings into our lives as we are commanded to know the truth and follow it.
Our joy is tied to being honest with God and with everyone we come across. Honesty they say is the best policy and as believers, it should be our way of life.
The key benefit to becoming a person of integrity is; knowing what God expects of us and doing it.
A life of humble integrity is above criticism.
When we are honest, we have nothing to fear and we do not have to watch out or keep looking over our shoulder.
Dishonesty is like spiritual leprosy that destroys the soul of a man. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul (Mark 8 v 36)? It is better to be a person of integrity than not be able to sleep at night.
Being a person of integrity is a sign that the spirit of God dwells in a man because God cannot lie (Hebrews 6 v 18).
It is the presence of God in the life of a man that makes him truthful and honest. As children of God, we must be honest.
Worldly people are naturally not honest. They live a lie due to the belief that lying can bring them financial gain, power, temporary satisfaction, fame or high position.
The reward of dishonesty comes at a price. It leads to more and more wickedness (Proverbs 17 v 4).
Dishonesty can sometimes lead to the loss of everything that a man has including his life. All liars shall go to hell (Revelation 21 v 8).
Being dishonest is bad for relationships: Proverbs 27v 6 say; faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Examples of People that lacked Integrity in the Bible;
1. Zacchaeus in Luke 19 v 1-10: Zacchaeus was a tax collector known for how rich he had become through fraud and dishonesty. He was in the habit of keeping some tax money for himself. On a certain day, Jesus visited Zacchaeus town and met him. Jesus also visited his house. It was during this visit that Zacchaeus promised Jesus that he would give half of his possession to the poor and would pay back four times what he had cheated people of. Zacchaeus did not only see the errors of his ways that day but he had a complete change of heart. He no longer wanted to live a dishonest life but wanted to become a person of integrity when he came to know and believe in Jesus!
The purport of Zacchaeus story is that our influencer or mentor can help us change our ways if we decide to emulate them. This can either be positively or negatively though, so we must know who to make our mentor or influencer.
2. Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 v 1 -11: Ananias and Sapphira were a married couple who sold their land and gave the proceeds to the disciples. Their offence was that they lied about the money, claiming that they gave it all when in fact they had kept some back for themselves. They died as a result of their dishonesty.
The sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira might seem harsh but it goes to show us how badly God hates dishonesty.
Dishonesty is a sin and because our God is a holy God, he detests sin with a passion.
Let`s look at some Bible verses on Integrity!
3. Proverbs 14 v 25; A true witness delivers souls but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
4. Proverbs 11 v 3; The integrity of the upright will guide them but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
5. Proverbs 12 v 22; Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.
6. 2 Samuel 22 v 26; To the faithful, you show yourself faithful, to those with integrity, you show integrity.
7. Psalm 26 v 1; vindicate me o Lord for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord I shall not slip.
8. Psalm 26 v 11-12; but as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me and show me mercy.
9. Psalm 101 v 2b; I will walk within my house with integrity
10. Psalm 119 v 1; Joyful are people of integrity who follow the instructions of the Lord.
11. Proverbs 2 v 7-8; The Lord is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
12. Proverbs 10 v 9; He who walks with integrity walks securely but he who perverts his ways will become known.
13. Proverbs 20 v 7: The Godly walks with integrity. His children are blessed after him.
14. Proverbs 28 v 6: Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than the dishonest who is rich.
15. Proverbs 15 v 16: Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble.
16. Proverbs 20 v 17: Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
17. Leviticus 19 v 11: You shall not steal nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
18. Jeremiah 9v 8: Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit; one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth but with his heart he lies in wait.
19. Jeremiah 22 v 13: Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice. Who uses his neighbor`s service without wages and gives him nothing for his work.
20. Matthew 7 v 12: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them for this is the law and the prophets.
May the Lord equip us with grace to walk uprightly and become people with integrity, in Jesus Mighty Name! Amen!
Shalom!