Integrity

The Lord has been pressing on me to write this topic the last few days. The word integrity in the Websters dictionary is as follows:

Websters Dictionary
Definition of INTEGRITY 1: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility 2: an unimpaired condition: soundness 3: the quality or state of being complete or undivided: completeness

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Worldly Standards
We see a society evolve around us that has abandoned moral standards and Christian principles in favor of expediency or realism. The core attitude is based on accomplishing goals by whatever means are necessary. The motto is, If it works for you, do it. This is a self-centered perspective. With this belief, the inevitable direct result is the compromise of conscience and convictions. Guilt, shame and remorse are non-factors in determining behavior because compromise is so prevalent in our society. One could say we no longer have a general conscience.

Compromise: a way of life

From Politicians to executives and down to sales people; in the courts, from judges to attorneys; in sports, from owners to athletes; and in all walks of life, there is an abandonment of values and moral principles. The high ideals of society are corrupted, and many are leading the way in compromise. We find politicians promote lofty standards and high ideals prior to the election but compromise them once they are in office. As a result, people learn to lie, cheat, steal, and shade the truth to do whatever is necessary to get what they want. Therefore compromise becomes a way of life.

World in the Church

Alas, these practices of compromise and its values have even plagued the Church. The functional philosophy in our society today is tolerance and the Church already begun walking on this road, and implemented a related view to reach the unsaved. The new trend is not to offend people while giving the gospel. However, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ is direct and offensive because it confronts sinners with their sin. Disregarding this, many ministries and churches knowingly and readily compromise Gods Word. Christ demands us to stand firmly established on the message of the Gospel with reverence and obedience. Yet, we see that the world receives a sugar-coated, watereddown version, through the Church and its ministries that are unable to effect any transformation; or produce Sons of the Kingdom and bring revival and reformation.
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Our standards have replaced Gods

God is looking for people who are committed and obedient to His standards. The examples which we have given above of corruption in every sphere of life are at an alarmingly high rate. We demand integrity from everyone else, but somehow dont expect them to be integrous; perhaps, because often we aren't as honest as we should be. We are called to be different than the world. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and this is how we can draw the elect into the Kingdom through us. The Church is now so adept at compromising with the world that it has forgotten how to be uncompromising. Thats because we readily accept the worlds value systems and indulge ourselves in them to the point that we personalize them and they become our desires. In essence, our standards replace Gods.

Separated from the World

Jesus clearly states that His kingdom was not of this world. Therefore, His people are not of this world. John 18:36 (ESV)
36Jesus

answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my

servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." John 15:19 (NKJV)
19If

you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the

world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. The people of this world follow the systems of the world and one has to compromise with their integrity. Scripture demands integrity towards God and others. Our Father calls us to live separate from the world. How does one be separate from the world?

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Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

2And

do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. The Holy Spirit through Paul demands us not to follow the worldly pattern of thinking and their ways of living.

Remind yourself
1Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
9But

you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for

possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Whenever you are tempted to leave the principles of Gods word and stray from His pathHis ways, always remind yourselves of whose you are; and also who you are in Him and through Him; what your identity in Christ is. Our integrity is Christ and His Word. We belong to Christ and we are His race, His priesthood, His holy nation and His people who He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light unto Himself. Since God never breaks or alters His Word, it is our standard to live by. The Holy Spirit is sent to guide us into all the truth of Gods Word in order that we live by it. Thank our Father God for His Holy Spirit.

Our Integrity founded in Gods Word

The way you perceive Gods Word will pave the way to develop integrity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity as steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code, the state of being unimpaired; soundness, or the quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness. It comes from the word integer, which means whole or complete.

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Integrity essentially means being true to ones ethical standards, however, for us, Gods standards. Its synonyms are honesty, sincerity, incorruptibility. It describes someone without pretense, hypocrisy or duplicitysomeone who is completely consistent with his or her stated convictions, someone who does what they say. Being true to our word or by keeping our word is where integrity begins. Integrity is not only hearing and speaking Gods Word but applying and obeying Gods Word.

IntegrityHeart Issue
Matthew 5:8 (KJV) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Integrity is a heart issue. Since, it is a heart issue; it is also a matter of choice. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, talks about those who are "pure in heart", implying an undividedness in following God's commands. Integrity, therefore, not only involves undividedness, but a moral purity as well.

God demands integrity from His Leaders

Integrity is required in the Church today especially among leadership. God looks to us, His leaders to be honest and not hypocrites. We are called to set examples for others to follow. Whether you are a Father of your children or a Father of spiritual children, we all must maintain our integrity. David says, 1Chronicles 29:17 (GNB) I know that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. Paul asked the Corinthian Church to follow his example, 1Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
16I

urge you, then, be imitators (followers) of me.

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1Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)

1Be

imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

He asked the church at Philippi to follow the apostles examples, Philippians 3:17 (ESV)
17Brothers,

join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the

example you have in us. The writer of Hebrews asks His readers to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit Gods promises. Hebrews 6:12 (ESV)
12 so

that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience

inherit the promises. We as leaders are called to set an example of honesty and integrity to our people so they can follow us and this is only possible when we follow (obey) Christ.

David
Like David; we as leaders are called to lead and shepherd with integrity, the people whom God has entrusted to us. Psalms 78:70-72 (KJV)
70He

chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people,

71From

and Israel his inheritance.

72So

he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the

skilfulness of his hands.

Solomon
Solomon was a great leadera King set by God over His people. God appeared and spoke to Solomon after he finished building the house of the Lord, and promised Him a
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blessing of stability, increase and posterity; which He had earlier promised to David his Father. 1Kings 9:4-5 (NKJV)
4And

if you will walk before Me as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in

uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you; and if you will keep My statutes and My judgments,
5

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom on Israel forever, as I promised to

David your father, saying, There shall not be cut off to you a man on the throne of Israel. This was a generational blessing as God promised Solomon there will always be a King over Israel in the physical. He was the wisest of men and yet his wisdom did not stop him as he followed other gods. You may be a man of wisdom; however, integrity to God comes through a relationship with Him and obedience to His Word. What is Integrity? Integrity is to walk with God The Patriarchs of old walked with God. Enoch walked with God, Noah walked with God, Daniel walked with God, Elijah and Elisha walked with God. The Prophets walked with God. David walked with God. Solomon began right, yet later in his life he did evil in the sight of God and followed after other gods. 1Kings 11:4 (ESV) For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1Kings 11:6 (ESV) So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. What does the Bible say about Integrity?

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Integrity is giving your word and keeping it. Exodus 8:28-32 (ESV)
28So

Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness;

only you must not go very far away. Plead for me."
29

Then Moses said, "Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the LORD that

the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."
30

So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. the LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go. Integrity is more valuable than riches.

31And

from his servants, and from his people; not one remained.
32But

Proverbs 28:6 (ESV)

6Better

is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his

ways. God upholds you in your integrity and the enemy does not triumph over you. Psalms 41:11-13 (KJV)
11

By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and

12And

ever.
13Blessed

Amen. Integrity will protect you Psalms 25:21(ESV)

21May

integrity and uprightness preserve (protect) me, for I wait for you.
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Being Integrous is a Choice you make Psalms 26:11 (ESV)

11but

as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

Psalms 26:11 (ESV)

11As

for me, I do what is right; be merciful to me and save me!

The Righteous are guided by their integrity Proverbs 11:3 (ESV)

3The

integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the crookedness of traitors shall

destroy them. The just (righteous) walk in Integrity Proverbs 20:7 (GW)
7A

righteous person lives (walks) on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children

after he is gone. Proverbs 20:7 (YLT)

7The

righteous is walking habitually in his integrity, O the happiness of his sons after

him! The Generations of the integrous are blessed Proverbs 20:7 (YLT)
7The

righteous is walking habitually in his integrity, O the happiness of his sons after

him! Proverbs 20:7 (ESV)

7The

righteous who walks in his integrity blessed are his children after him!

Proverbs 20:7 (GW)

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7A

righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is

gone. Proverbs 20:7 (ERV)

7When

people live good, honest lives, their children are blessed. Integrity will be rewarded

1Kings 9:4-5 (NKJV)

4

And if you will walk before Me as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in

uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you; and if you will keep My statutes and My judgments,
5then

I will establish the throne of your kingdom on Israel forever, as I promised to

David your father, saying, There shall not be cut off to you a man on the throne of Israel. Psalms 41:11-12 (KJV)
11 12

By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for

ever. Nehemiah 7:2 (ESV)

2I

gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over

Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. People with Integrity are always faithful Numbers 12:7 (ESV)
7Not

so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.

Daniel 6:4 (ESV)

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4Then

the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against

Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. We are called to be faithful stewards 1Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)
2Moreover,

it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Integrity keeps a person safe and secure and from being exposed Proverbs 10:9 (ESV) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. A person of integrity will have a good reputation and not have to fear that he or she will be exposed or found out. Integrity provides a safe path through life. People with Integrity set an example to follow Titus 2:7 (ESV)
7Show

yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show

integrity, dignity, A person with integrity will be a role model and set an example to be followed. Examples of Fathers We as earthly fathers have a desire that our children be integrousmen and women of integrity. It can be passed on from Father to Son. It can be taught and developed right from a young age. God is a God of family and generations. When you look at the fathers in the scriptures, you find them weak and making wrong choices, but always wanting the children to be perfect and blameless before God, right from the first fatherAdam to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon and others. Adam - One had no example to follow but God;
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Noah - one was far from perfect, yet he was humble and protective of his family; Abraham relied on his own strength many times, yet was faithful to God even to the point of killing his own son for Him. Isaac had some big shoes to fill in terms of being Abrahams son, yet although not being perfect, was an obedient son and a wonderful father. Jacob his name means deceiver, schemer. He deceived his brother Esau and stole his birthright with the help of his mother Rebekah. He fathered 12 sons and out of them was partial and favorable towards Joseph, which caused tremendous jealousy among the other brothers. However, in all this we learn that God takes us through a process and makes us an Israelprince of God from a deceiver. Moses not only fathered his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, but also fathered a whole nation of Hebrews. His heart of love for them was tried and proved at every juncture. He was a larger than life character, yet we see he was just a man like us, not perfect still meek and dependant on God. David one of my heroes in the Bible. A great struggler and yet close to Gods heart. He is the archetype of struggle, failure and sin however, at the same time; he loved God and had tremendous faith in Him. God used David to defeat goliath and win many a battles for Israel. He is the one God calls a man after my own heart God our Father - All of the above were fathers and we can learn a great deal from their lives. However, we must look unto God our Father, for He alone is the perfect role model for us to follow. He is perfect, relational, loving, faithful, merciful, delights in His children, provider, giver, patient, redemptive, just, impartial, does not look to our past in Christ, forgiving, our light and our life

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and is always with us and for us. He has proved His love for us by sending sacrificing His only Son to make us His sons. Davids Question This is a question to the church and its leaders: a question asked by King David I pray we are able to answer this, Psalms 15:1-2 (ISV)
1 2

LORD, who may stay in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? The one who lives with integrity, who does righteous deeds, and who speaks truth to

himself. Honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness and truth are traits of Integrity; but, above all it is to walk righteously when nobody is looking. I am encouraging you to build up a life of integrity. In some respects, it's a life-long process. But we have to begin somewhere. Our lives are the collection of choices we have made in the past, both good choices and bad choices. I would encourage you to begin to focus on the verses and biblical principles outlined here. If you want to be a person of integrity, it won't happen overnight. But if you don't make a deliberate plan to be a person of integrity, it will never happen at all. I pray that Christ and His Word be your integrity, and you allow God to deal with your heart, now and always. In Christ,

Godwin

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