A Life of Integrity Don’t Mess it Up

1. 1 A Life of Integrity Don’t Mess it Up Jerry E. White, Honesty, Morality and Conscience.(Colorado Springs, CO:NavPress, January 1999) Jerry E. White. 52 Rules to Live By. (Colorado Springs, CO:NavPress, 2010) Jerry E. White.The Joseph Road: Choices That Determine Your Destiny.(Colorado Springs, CO;NavPress. October 2009

2. Mark 12:13,14 (NIV) 3 “ Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity.”

3. Mark 12:14 (NIV) 4 “ . . . You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

4. 5 How did they define …. INTEGRITY?

5. How did they define Integrity? 6 • Not swayed by man’s opinion • Not partial • Teach truth – no compromise

6. 7 Setting the Trap Mark 12:15-17 (NIV) “ Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazedat him.”

7. 8 Integrityin·teg·ri·ty noun \in-te-grə-tē\ Honesty Virtue Honor Morality Principled Upright Righteous Godliness Wholeness Sincerity

8. 9 General Omar Bradley “We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.”

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10. 11 Integrity Is An Issue of: • The heart…………………Motive • Our actions……………….Example • Other’s perceptions……..Credibility

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12. 13 Steps to Moral Suicide • Make big, wrong choices easy • Prevent those choices that destroy our lives Life is made up of many small ethical decisions. They either:

13. 15 Steps to Moral Suicide • I no longer feel badly when I violate ethical or moral principles • I rationalize that there are no absolutes that can tell me how to live Moral and ethical suicide occurs when:

14. The Goal Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

15. 16 The Focus of Integrity • With God • With your family • With your leaders • With your followers

16. The Currency of Integrity 17 • Your word • Your lifestyle • Your faithfulness and dependability • Your motives

17. The inner gauge...our conscience The voice of integrity...our work The spirit of integrity...how we treat people The reputation of integrity...credibility, trust, perception 14 Core Issues of Integrity

18. 19 Basic Goals for Ethical Decisions • To be a man or woman of integrity • To influence our children, and those for whom we are responsible, to live with integrity • To influence our peers and our leaders to live and act with integrity

19. Types of Integrity • Personal—how I live my private life • Professional—how I live my public life They must be CONNECTED!

20. 20 Why People Act Honestly • Law • Fear • Inner Conviction

21. 21 Where Do Convictions Come From • Family background • Experience—peers, education • Spiritual/religious foundations