Being A Person Of Integrity Series

Growing in Integrity

Psalm 119:33-40

February 4, 2024

Have you ever wanted to say something, but you were totally tongue tied? Or you had this great speech to make, maybe you were going to propose, and you knew what you wanted to say . . . and it just didn’t come out as you thought it would?

If you’ve ever been there, then I think you’ll resonate with me this morning. Just starting this message took me all week. I have so much floating around my heart, spirit and mind that I don’t even know how to get it all out. And yet, I’m so excited about what I’m talking about.

As I read more and consider and meditate on this, frankly, I’m becoming more and more overwhelmed. Not in a bad way, but there’s actually so much I want to say, and again, then comes the question of how to say it.

For the past weeks, we’ve been looking at the question - - - -

ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT GOD?

It’s straight forward and today I’m going to set the table for next week. I can’t give you a preview of next week’s message, because I haven’t written 1 word of it, but I know the illustration I want to give you is going to resonate with you and hopefully, it will change your lives, because it will change your relationship with Jesus.

That’s my commercial for next week. I’m putting the pressure on me. You don’t want to miss next weeks message! At least not my main illustration . . . I hope!

If we’re serious about God, then it means we need to demonstrate who we are in Christ. At it’s core, we must demonstrate that to God, showing God we’re actually serious about being serious.

Yet, God calls us to go further and to demonstrate that to one another. We do that when we show a number of character traits in our lives. We could name a bunch . . . things like - - - respect, kindness, grace, love, forgiveness, compassion, gentleness and integrity. And we could add more as well.

So, if we’re serious about God, we need to be people of integrity. We must walk our talk. If our words are different than our actions, that diminishes our words and the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

So, here’s the tough question about this . . .

If we’re serious about worshiping, honoring and glorifying God, about being obedient, what makes you and I different than someone who is a nonChristian, but is a good person? What’s different about you and I that should demonstrate to the world who Christ is?

In one sense, it has to do with integrity. We should be living our lives as people who know God and love God and show that. That’s why Psalm 119 is really important. It’s a way of telling the world how you are different than others. It’s because we know who God is and we practice it.

In Psalm 119:33-40, we read - - - -

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.

39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Every 8 verses is somewhat similar. It’s a call to follow God as the psalmist tells us in verse 34, with your whole heart. Not half-heartedly, not when you feel like it, not when it’s convenient, but with your whole heart. You’ll see that often in this psalm. Again, we don’t love someone half-heartedly, we give them our heart, which is what we do with God.

Ultimately, because we’re drawn to God, we want to know Him and know what He expects of us. And that’s what we find in His word. We read His statutes, His laws, His commandments, His rules, and they guide us, so that we know what is right and what is wrong.

I read about a politician said she had a college degree that she didn't complete. She posted a picture of herself with what looked like a Miami University diploma after being accused of lying about her degree. The university sent a statement saying she attended the school, but never graduated.