By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
Every born-again Believer should be a person of integrity and ethics. Unfortunately, these traits seem rare commodities in most Christians.
We, as Christians, are called in Matthew 5:8 to be pure in heart, which implies an undivided focus in following God's rule. It calls for no compromise, deviation or avoidance of the price tag that may have to be paid to stand for what we know to be right. We are also told in Proverbs 11:3: The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Integrity guides us to the truth. Integrity is not, in and of itself, the truth. It is a guide for acting on the truth, and it forces you to question and analyze your situation. Integrity is the process of discerning right from wrong, and then doing what you know to be right.
Let me give you two words -- consistency and predictability. Consistency means "the same yesterday, today and forever," and predictability means knowing what will happen. This is why we can base our lives on God's Word, because God is consistent and predictable. In other words, we can count on God. You cannot have integrity without consistency and predictability.
Jesus said in Luke 16:10-12: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and 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?”
This principle is so true. If you are a person of integrity, whatever else may be going on around you is irrelevant and immaterial, and it is below your personal dignity not to follow through on your word. Why should God make a commitment to you when He cannot trust you? We are our promises, our words, and we lose hold of ourselves when we do not make an effort to keep our word.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, integrity means the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness; honesty and sincerity. It is a quality or state of being – something you do on a consistent basis, just like the proverb says.
A person with these qualities is willing to bear the consequences of his or her convictions, even when those consequences are difficult or unpleasant. If we are never challenged, we can never really know how deeply we believe and are committed to our belief.
There are three components involved in acting on a personal sense of integrity:
1. Discerning what is right and wrong.
2. Acting on what you have discerned, even at personal cost.
3. Saying openly that you are acting on what you understand to be right and wrong.
We have a perfect Biblical example of individuals using these three steps in the third chapter of Daniel. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a giant golden idol erected he made an order that everyone was to bow before it. The three Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused. The king became furious and had the boys thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. However, notice that the boys had to act on their belief before they received deliverance.
In the sixth chapter of Daniel, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. He discerned right from wrong – continued to worship the true God rather than obey the edict of the king – then made his choice and God delivered him. In the Book of Genesis, when Joseph acted with integrity, God eventually promoted him from prison to the right hand of Pharaoh to serve as his regent.
The Lord is no respecter of persons. He does not change His mind, nor go back on His Word. Therefore, He has obligated Himself to do for you what he did for Joseph, the three Hebrew boys and Daniel. Joseph says in Genesis 50:20 that “… you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good….” This principle, and the blessed assurance it gives is yours as you remain committed to a lifestyle of integrity.
Scripture Of The Day: "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them." - Proverbs 11:3
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Having Integrity
Stay close to anything that makes you want to do right... 2 Timothy 2:22
Comedian Red Allen, said, 'You only live once. But if you work it right, once is enough.' So, how can you work it right? By living by your convictions every day; do that, and you will have few regrets. Living a life of integrity involves: a) thinking regularly about your values and letting them soak in b) constantly measuring your choices against God's Word and whenever it is appropriate, talking about them. This not only cements your values, it also adds a level of safety and accountability.
We get into trouble when our convictions and our impulses collide. When everything's going our way it is not difficult to live by our convictions. But 'where it comes to the crunch,' is when those convictions demand that we do something that will hurt or cost us! Spiritual people do what is right, no matter how they feel about it. You do not feel your way into doing what is right; you act first, act scripturally, act consistently - your feelings follow suit. Usually it does not involve anything dramatic; the tough decisions are the everyday ones. Character is built like a wall, one brick at a time. Nice people may appear to finish last, but usually it is because they are running a different race. Running that race involves pausing regularly to examine your life and to pray with the Psalmist, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting' (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV).
Comedian Red Allen, said, 'You only live once. But if you work it right, once is enough.' So, how can you work it right? By living by your convictions every day; do that, and you will have few regrets. Living a life of integrity involves: a) thinking regularly about your values and letting them soak in b) constantly measuring your choices against God's Word and whenever it is appropriate, talking about them. This not only cements your values, it also adds a level of safety and accountability.
We get into trouble when our convictions and our impulses collide. When everything's going our way it is not difficult to live by our convictions. But 'where it comes to the crunch,' is when those convictions demand that we do something that will hurt or cost us! Spiritual people do what is right, no matter how they feel about it. You do not feel your way into doing what is right; you act first, act scripturally, act consistently - your feelings follow suit. Usually it does not involve anything dramatic; the tough decisions are the everyday ones. Character is built like a wall, one brick at a time. Nice people may appear to finish last, but usually it is because they are running a different race. Running that race involves pausing regularly to examine your life and to pray with the Psalmist, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting' (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV).
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Don't Give The Devil A Place
Nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 NKJV
When (the late) pastor Adrian Rogers wanted to attract birds to his garden, a neighbour told him, 'If you create the right environment they'll come.' So he bought the right kind of food, the right kind of birdhouse, mounted it on the right kind of pole, and enjoyed hosting a variety of birds. Rogers pointed out that many of us unwittingly roll out the welcome mat for the devil by creating an environment where he feels right at home. Satan can't take any ground you don't give him. He's looking for an environment where he can live comfortably.
If you've given the devil a place in your life today, you can reclaim that lost ground. First, by faith: '… every child of God defeats this evil world… through our faith' (1 John 5:4 NLT). God empowers us for spiritual warfare, and that power is released through faith. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you confidence. Second, by resisting: '… submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7 NKJV). Only as you submit to God, will you have the power to overcome the devil. You must come against him in the Name of Jesus and the authority of God's Word. Third, by fighting: 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can… stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). Remember, 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God… will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand… ' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). You don't have to beg God to give you power to defeat the devil; it's already yours. '… I have given you authority… you can walk among snakes… Nothing will injure you' (Luke 10:19 NLT). Learn to walk in it!
Ephesians 4:27 NKJV
When (the late) pastor Adrian Rogers wanted to attract birds to his garden, a neighbour told him, 'If you create the right environment they'll come.' So he bought the right kind of food, the right kind of birdhouse, mounted it on the right kind of pole, and enjoyed hosting a variety of birds. Rogers pointed out that many of us unwittingly roll out the welcome mat for the devil by creating an environment where he feels right at home. Satan can't take any ground you don't give him. He's looking for an environment where he can live comfortably.
If you've given the devil a place in your life today, you can reclaim that lost ground. First, by faith: '… every child of God defeats this evil world… through our faith' (1 John 5:4 NLT). God empowers us for spiritual warfare, and that power is released through faith. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you confidence. Second, by resisting: '… submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7 NKJV). Only as you submit to God, will you have the power to overcome the devil. You must come against him in the Name of Jesus and the authority of God's Word. Third, by fighting: 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can… stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). Remember, 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God… will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand… ' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). You don't have to beg God to give you power to defeat the devil; it's already yours. '… I have given you authority… you can walk among snakes… Nothing will injure you' (Luke 10:19 NLT). Learn to walk in it!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Taking Your Place In The Plan Of God
I am... the God of Abraham... Isaac, and... Jacob Exodus 3:6 NKJV
Today we're conditioned to think in terms of instant gratification. We're the generation of lunch-time face lifts and text messaging; we hate to wait for anything. Think about the last time you had to wait for something to arrive by 'snail mail,' or stand in line at the checkout counter. Now, here's where we get it wrong: we expect whatever God initiates through us to be completed;while we are still around to see the end result. We don't like it when He decides to continue the work through another person,or worse,another generation! But that's how God works. When God reveals something to you it's usually within the framework of what's already taken place before you came on the scene. He told Moses, 'I am the God of your father… of Abraham… Isaac, and… Jacob.' God had made certain promises to Moses' forefathers hundreds of years earlier, and now it was Moses' time to take his place in the plan of God. Accepting that you're a small link in a big chain can be humbling, but once Moses understood it he was able to connect with and focus on something bigger than himself. 'It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work' (1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT). It's amazing what you can accomplish when you're not concerned about who carries the torch over the finish line.
Today we're conditioned to think in terms of instant gratification. We're the generation of lunch-time face lifts and text messaging; we hate to wait for anything. Think about the last time you had to wait for something to arrive by 'snail mail,' or stand in line at the checkout counter. Now, here's where we get it wrong: we expect whatever God initiates through us to be completed;while we are still around to see the end result. We don't like it when He decides to continue the work through another person,or worse,another generation! But that's how God works. When God reveals something to you it's usually within the framework of what's already taken place before you came on the scene. He told Moses, 'I am the God of your father… of Abraham… Isaac, and… Jacob.' God had made certain promises to Moses' forefathers hundreds of years earlier, and now it was Moses' time to take his place in the plan of God. Accepting that you're a small link in a big chain can be humbling, but once Moses understood it he was able to connect with and focus on something bigger than himself. 'It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work' (1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT). It's amazing what you can accomplish when you're not concerned about who carries the torch over the finish line.
Monday, May 3, 2010
When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (4)
If a woman has a husband who is not a believer 1 Corinthians 7:13 NIV
A wise wife listens to God. When you know things your partner doesn't about God and His Word, it's hard to resist 'demonstrating your knowledge'. But it's an art God wants you to master. Here are two Bible principles that will help you to lead, not push, your husband closer to God. First, the principle of submission. 'Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives' (1 Peter 3:1 NIV). Submission to the needs of others is hard on our pride, especially when we know we're scripturally right. The need to be 'right', however, will sabotage your hopes for your mate's salvation. The words, 'in the same way', refer to 1 Peter 2:21-25 where Jesus submitted to injustice, to save us. To submit is Christ-like. It's also the best method of getting yourself out of God's way so God can work on your mate. Second, the principle of silence; '[That] they may be won over without words.' To protect your marriage and save your husband, God exempts you from the role of being His mouthpiece. However sincere, don't 'preach' at him. That includes placing Bibles, spiritual books and CDs where he can't miss them. If you do, he'll tune you out for sure. 'How else will he get the message?' you ask. '… by the behaviour of their wives… a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight' (1 Peter 3:1-4 NIV). Try it God's way!
A wise wife listens to God. When you know things your partner doesn't about God and His Word, it's hard to resist 'demonstrating your knowledge'. But it's an art God wants you to master. Here are two Bible principles that will help you to lead, not push, your husband closer to God. First, the principle of submission. 'Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives' (1 Peter 3:1 NIV). Submission to the needs of others is hard on our pride, especially when we know we're scripturally right. The need to be 'right', however, will sabotage your hopes for your mate's salvation. The words, 'in the same way', refer to 1 Peter 2:21-25 where Jesus submitted to injustice, to save us. To submit is Christ-like. It's also the best method of getting yourself out of God's way so God can work on your mate. Second, the principle of silence; '[That] they may be won over without words.' To protect your marriage and save your husband, God exempts you from the role of being His mouthpiece. However sincere, don't 'preach' at him. That includes placing Bibles, spiritual books and CDs where he can't miss them. If you do, he'll tune you out for sure. 'How else will he get the message?' you ask. '… by the behaviour of their wives… a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight' (1 Peter 3:1-4 NIV). Try it God's way!
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