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INTEGRITY. LIVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart. That’s how you will find favor and understanding with both God and men- you’ll gain the reputation of living life well. Prov 3:19 (Passion translation).
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INTEGRITY LIVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart. That’s how you will find favor and understanding with both God and men- you’ll gain the reputation of living life well. Prov 3:19 (Passion translation)
If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
DEFINITION OF INTEGRITY greek: tumma- completeness, sincerity of heart, innocence, honesty of heart the intention of our heart behind our actions Our WORDS AND ACTIONS will reveal our heart! will reflect our integrity – or lack of it
Integrity: adherence to moral and ethical principles, soundness of moral character; honesty… the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished… sound, unimpaired or perfect condition Synonyms: honesty, truth, truthfulness, honor, veracity, reliability, and uprightness
Integrity is the expression of God’s character revealed in us, and that character is the beauty of His perfection- His holiness. Holiness is the essence of His nature. It is not something He does or doesn’t do. It is who he is!
IT IS THE SAME FOR US. We are holy because the nature of God is in us. It begins with a heart separated unto God and becomes evident in the Christ-nature expressed through us. from Bill Johnson - Dreaming with God, Chap 2
WE SHOULD LOOK THE SAME ON THE INSIDE AS WE DO ON THE OUTSIDE! WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT’S ON THE OUTSIDE
Woe to the Pharisees...you hypocrites... you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence... first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also... like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness, even so you outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matt 23:25-28
THE OPPOSITE: PERVERSE turned away from what is right or good/corrupt/improper, incorrect/contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law
WHAT HINDERS INTEGRITY IN OUR LIVES? • Fear of man • Pride • Insecurity • Reputation • Fear of disappointing others • Compromise
INTEGRITY IN OUR WORDS and HONESTY Opposite: lying, deception, half truths, little white lies…
INTEGRITY IN OUR WORDS and HONESTY Opposite: lying, deception, half truths, little white lies…
WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE WILL COME OUT Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Or… The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart! Matthew 5:18, Luke 6:45
TRUTHFULNESS HELPS US GROW UP IN CHRIST … speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ. Ephesians 4:15
TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE CONNECTED He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. Proverbs 12:17
OUR WORDS EITHER WOUND OTHERS OR BRING HEALING There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword. But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Proverbs 12:18
WE BECOME ESTABLISHED WHEN WE TELL THE TRUTH The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:19
LIARS WON’T ESCAPE! He who speaks lies will not escape… Proverbs 19:5
GOD DESIRES TRUTH IN OUR DEEPEST CORE Surely you desire truth in the inner parts... Psalms 51:6
TRUTH HOLDS THE REST OF US TOGETHER: Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist... Ephesians 6:14
GOD LOVES THE TRUTH AND HATES LIES These are the things you are to do... speak the truth to one another and render true and sound judgment in your courts. Do not plot evil against your neighbor and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord…. Zechariah 8:16
GOD LOVES THE TRUTH AND HATES LIES The Lord hates ... a lying tongue. Proverbs 6:17
GOD LOVES STRAIGHT LINES, NOT CROOKED Listen for I will speak of excellent things. And from the opening of my lips will come right things. For my mouth will speak truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness, nothing crooked or perverse is in them. Proverbs 8:6-8
GOD DELIGHTS IN TRUTH Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22
INTEGRITY IN OUR ACTIONS OPPOSITE CHARACTERISTICS: hypocrisy, deception in actions, stealing, cheating…
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE OPPOSITE OF DECEPTION The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18
WE DESTROY PEOPLE WITH HYPOCRISY The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:9
STRIVE TO HAVE A GOOD CONSCIENCE …we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. Hebrews 13:18
RIGHT ACTIONS WILL PROTECT OUR MINISTRY We give no offense in anything that our ministry may not be blamed, but in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God... 2 Corinthians 6:9
DON’T MAKE OATHS BUT KEEP YOUR WORD: …don’t make oaths, but let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Matt 5:37
INTEGRITY IN OUR FINANCES OPPOSITE CHARACTERISTICS: stealing, cheating robbery, etc.
BE FAITHFUL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? Luke 16:10-12
BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing in to the world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
DON’T COVET Let your conduct be without coveteousness, but be content with such things as you have. Hebrews 13:5
DON’T TAKE BRIBES And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. Exodus 23:8
DISHONESTY BRINGS DECREASE Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase. Proverbs 13:11
BE FAIR IN YOUR BUSINESS DEALINGS You shall not have differing weights… (a heavy and a light scale) Deuteronomy 25:13
SECURITY He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. Proverbs 10:9
GUIDED WELL The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Proverbs 11:3
CHILDREN ARE BLESSED The righteous man walks in his integrity, his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7
WE ARE BETTER PEOPLE Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Proverbs 19:1
OUR LEADERSHIP IS ESTABLISHED As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father… 1 Kings 9:4-5
O God, make the king a godly judge like You, and give the king’s son the gift of justice too. Help him to give true justice to your people, honorably and equally to all. Then the mountains of influence will be fruitful and from your righteousness, prosperity and peace flow to all the people. Psalm 72:1-3