Integrity

​Do you have the courage to say “God, check me out”.

​Give every aspect of my life a thorough going over. Send the search light of the Holy Spirit into the deepest recesses of my mind, heart and spirit. Examine my thoughts and actions. Let me know if they line up with the Word of God. 
 
You can only do this if you are a man or woman of INTEGRITY.
 
People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Their lives are an open book. The word integrity according to the dictionary means “wholeness,” “entireness” or “completeness.” The root word means untouched, intact and entire. A person of integrity is whole and has their act together. There is no division between conviction, character and conduct.
 
Someone said “What you see is what they be” applies to integrity minded people.
 
Integrity is BEING WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE and DOING WHAT YOU SAY YOU DO.
 
Does integrity matter? You bet it does. Integrity mattered to David. In Psalm 26. David is experiencing serious heat from evil men.
 
“Vindicate me O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart” Psalm 26:1-2
 
As the malicious assault on his character and conduct rages, the psalmist turns to the Lord. He invites God to examine His life with the purpose of vindicating and justifying him. Men are lying about him. Slinging mud. Assassinating his character. Destroying his credibility. Dead set on ruining his reputation and life.
 
But David knows who he is and knows that God knows who he is.
 
He is not afraid to look to the Lord to set the record straight. With sincerity and confidence he says, “Lord, I have trusted you without flinching or shrinking back. I have walked in my integrity. My daily life has not been hidden. Everyone has seen who I am and what I do.”
 
I love verse four where he declares “I have not walked with PRETENDERS.” David is the real deal. No pretense. No deception. No secret or double life. No duplicity. No hypocrisy for him. God’s response? He backs David up and puts the detractors down.
 
Integrity equals credibility.
 
Society is long on hypocrisy and short on integrity. Our culture promotes charlatans while pummeling and penalizing godly character. I am afraid this insidious moral infection has invaded the church of Jesus Christ.
 
Christians and the church are in an integrity crisis.
 
Ever wonder why the unbelieving world mocks us and turns their back on us? Lack of integrity. Sadly, too often, we are not who we say we are and do not do what we say we will do. It is that simple. Too often I have heard people say I will never do business with a Christian again. I will not listen to Christians because so many are so hypocritical.
 
This lost world will not listen to the Gospel if God’s people are phony.
 
Life may be short, but it gives most people time to outlive their intentions. Integrity has nothing to do with good intentions. It has everything to do with good behavior.
 
I have known a businessman for fourteen years. I love him as a brother in Christ, call him friend, but have no respect for him as an integrity minded person. Repeatedly, he tells me what he is going to do, and he never comes through. Good intentions. Bad integrity. I will never trust him to assist me with something that is significant because he is not who he says he is and does not do what he says he will do.
 
Lack of integrity is inner dishonesty.
 
Is it any wonder some Christians have trouble living in a Christlike, healthy, wholesome and productive manner with themselves and others. They are not honest. Bless their hearts--they are not who they say they are and do not do what they say they do.
 
 INTEGRITY MEANS…
 

• You are a person of your word.
• You deliver what you promise.
• You can be counted on to come through.
• You are credible and trustworthy.
• You are a person who righteous men stand up and declare” There goes a person of integrity.”
• INTEGRITY means you are not PHONY BOLOGNA!!!

 
INTEGRITY CHECK: Do you keep your word? Do you keep appointments? Arrive on time? Pay your bills? Deliver promised products and services? Honor your prices? Do your wife and kids believe your words? Do they respect your behavior? Are they proud of who you are at home and in public?
 
This devotional is tough. Why? Because we know who we are and what we do or do not do better than anyone else except for Almighty God who knows and sees all things.
 
JUST A THOUGHT WORTH THINKING ABOUT.
 
Why not start today and help turn the tide of integrity? THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD ARE IN DESPERATE NEED IN THESE LAST DAYS TO BE INFLUENCED BY PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY.  
 
Integrity matters if you desire to be Christlike and win lost souls to Jesus.
 
“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity….”   Psalm 26:11
 
“Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.” Psalm 7:8
 

• BE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE AND DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU DO!!!

 
A Word For Your Week: If you want God to stand up for you, stand up for Him with a life of biblical integrity.