Integrity

~ We live in a time now where integrity means nothing.

Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as “a firm adherence to a code of especially moral values” INCORRUPTIBILITY

~ A person like that seems hard to come by these days.

The bible says a lot about integrity – it’s a very spiritual issue.

1 Chron. 29:17

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.

Prov. 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Prov. 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Prov. 13:6

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

In these passages God contrasts integrity to being crooked, unfaithfulness, wickedness, and having a life of duplicity.

~ Are you a man or woman of integrity?

I think too many of us when we think of integrity we think of just doing what you say.

Biblically it means to be incorruptible.

I. Integrity – No Compromise

Genesis 39:1-20

Joseph was a man of deep integrity, he refused to compromise even when it would’ve been so easy to do so.

What motivated his integrity?

Vs. 8-9 Look what God has given me charge over, how in the world could I ever do such a wicked thing?

He didn’t even consider it. The answer was absolutely, positively NO!

Vs. 10 says “day after day” she was determined – yet he was more determined.

How are we unlike Joseph?

How easy is it for us to just finally give up and say O.K. to something that we know is wrong.

~ What are our limits?

~ What voice calls out to you day by day?

Lust – hey look at me, I’m hardly wearing anything at all today.

~ Internet – Hey, come to my site

~ Magazines – Hey come look inside at my new bathing suit issue.

Anger – Did you see that, he just cut you off

~ He can’t talk to you like that.

~ Hey, he gave you the finger.

Q.T.’s – Hey, stay in bed man you were up late last night.

~ Hey man, God will understand.

~ Hey, look at this mornings headlines, read me first.

Sacrifice – Hey man, you sacrifice enough, let someone else do it.

~ Hey, you don’t need to go to that late night prayer in the desert after all you have to get up early.

~ Hey, you don’t need with that struggling brother, let him deal with it.

Cleveland Stroud had coached the Blue Collar Bulldogs for 18 years before his basketball team made it to the championship. Stroud recalls that “it was a perfect night” when they won. “A night you dream of”. He was carried around the gym on the shoulders of his triumphant players and their proud parents. But the excitement was short lived.

Two months after the championship, during a routine grade check, Stroud discovered that one player was academically ineligible. The player in question had only played 45 seconds in the regional qualifying tournament. Stroud says, “I thought it was all ruined. I went through a phase where I was really depressed.” He struggled with what to do next. Yet, his commitment to integrity led him to the right decision. “Winning is the most important thing for any coach,” he said. “But your principals have to be higher that your goals.” He reported the error to the league and the Bulldogs forfeited their trophy. When the team lamented their loss in the locker room, he told them, “You’ve got to do what is honest, what is right, and what the rules say. People forget the scores of basketball games, but they don’t ever forget what your made of.”

Just like Joseph we have been given responsibilities. If it’s not a ministry or a BT it’s a family or a household.

The bible says that Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care because with him in charge, he did not concern himself with anything.

~ Can God say this about us in our families?

~ Does he worry about your families? Non Christian spouses. Are you leading your home spiritually?

~ Father’s are you teaching your kids integrity or duplicity?

II. Integrity – No Negligence

Daniel 6:1-5

These men searched and searched and the bible says they found no corruption in Daniel.

Let’s say that we found about 100 people that didn’t like you very much and they were going to investigate your life. They’re looking for some area that you have been corrupt in, either intentionally or negligently.

What would they find?

Negligence: Often times we judge ourselves based on the things we do, not what we haven’t done.

James 4:17

Anyone, then, who know the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.