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.
She said he plans to stay in the race and “will lead by example from now on.” She issued an apology on Facebook, adding, “It was not my intent to deceive or mislead anyone.” If that wasn’t her intent, then what was it. And I’m glad she’s decided she will NOW lead by example.
www.yahoo.com/news/fake-diploma-florida-candidate-apologizes-stays-race-223036815.html
Ugh! We’re talking about integrity. It’s a tough word. It’s equally tough to live by.
The word integrity means "the state of being whole or undivided." That’s a great definition. Think about how many times you have been divided over decisions, or easily swayed in different directions. To be a person of integrity, in part, means you are going to follow something without wavering.
Will it be the way of the world? Or will it be the way of God? Those are really the only 2 options.
When we live by integrity the challenge becomes demonstrating integrity in every area of our lives. It’s not just the way we pay our bills, or do our jobs, it’s not just the things we do when nobody is looking, it’s the way we talk to people, keeping our promises and commitments, growing in our spiritual life, the programs we watch, the music we listen to, the ways we speak . . . and that list goes on and on.
Biblical integrity begins with the willingness to challenge yourself in every area, across the board.
The road to integrity, the path to growing in who God has called us to be means we have to constantly be evaluating ourselves . . . and then we make the necessary adjustments so that we can improve in our nature. The point to integrity is that you cannot do it on your own. We need the Holy Spirit to help us. On our own, we will ultimately not succeed.
As hard as it might seem to be, the good news is the fact that God has promised to conform us into the image of His Son — to help us become more and more like Jesus — if, and that’s a big if, if we yield ourselves to Him every day.
What I love about this section of Psalm 119, is that the psalmist is asking God for help! He’s petitioning God with requests. Too often we go at life on our own, and when we’re in trouble, then we turn to God and ask for help!
So, with that in mind, I want to look at what the psalmist is asking for and how we can do the same in our lives. In the first 2 verses the psalmist prays ~
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.
The psalmist is praying for understanding and wisdom. It’s one thing to have knowledge, but it’s another to have wisdom and understanding. We all know people who have amazing knowledge, but they have no clue how to apply it to life. That’s where wisdom and understanding come in.
Have you ever looked up the strange laws that are in some states? Some really don’t make any sense. They were made years ago, but have never been changed and are still actual laws.
For example, in Alaska it’s illegal to wake up a bear to take its picture. But understand, it’s not against the law to take the picture of the bear while he's sleeping, just don't wake him up.
In Logan County, Colorado, it is against the law for a husband to kiss his wife while she is sleeping. But it is OK to take her picture while she’s sleeping, but you can't kiss her.
In Connecticut it’s against the law to kiss your wife on Sunday, whether she's asleep or awake.
In Massachusetts you cannot wear a goatee without a permit. It's why I never go there.
In Indiana, it’s illegal to take a bath between the months of October and March. AND
Pedestrians crossing the highway at night are prohibited from wearing tail lights.
http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/indiana
All of these laws were put on the books for a reason, and probably a good reason. Some of these laws may seem arbitrary, but there was probably a good reason at the time.
Sometimes when parents tell their children they can’t do something, you just want to say, “I’m the parent, because I said so!” But even if your child doesn’t like what you’ve told them, if you can help them understand why, there’s a better chance they’ll better follow it.
God is not a "because I said so, that's why" God. His laws aren’t silly or arbitrary. There’s a reason behind each one.
So, we pray for God to teach us His statutes, and we will seek to follow them to the end! And we want to understand God’s laws so that we would be able to keep them, to follow them with our whole heart. We wouldn’t do it dismissively. We follow God with all that we have.
And as we follow God . . . we don’t want to miss a beat, we don’t want to have those good days and bad days, so the psalmist prays - - -
So, we pray for wisdom and understanding. Then we pray God will - - - -
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
The psalmist is continuing down that same path. He wants consistency. He wants to be constantly following God.
And here’s the thing, and how many of us can really say we DELIGHT in following the laws and commandments. Most of us rail against laws and think they don’t apply to us, or they’re merely suggestions. How many kids delight in the commands of their parents? Generally, we don’t!
It’s easy to fall into sin. It’s easy to miss the mark with God.
The psalmist wants to be consistent with his relationship with God and following God’s commandments. And wants to delight in them. That’s a great reminder for us. God . . . whatever you’re calling me to do today, whether I’m a fan of it or not, help me to delight in serving you. To find joy in this moment, even in the hardships.
The call in our lives is to delight in God’s laws as we practice being consistent in following them.
The next thing the psalmist is asking for is something so many Americans struggle with. I would venture to say most of us do to some degree. And that’s being content. He prayed ~
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
For how many of us instead of owning possessions, how many of us are owned by our possessions?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said – – –
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21
That’s true folks. Whatever it is we treasure, our heart will be led in that direction. If you treasure prosperity and material goods, then the focus of your heart will move in that direction. If you heart delights in following God’s commandments, then that’s where your heart will also be.
We struggle with being content. We always want more, we strive for more. The apostle Paul wrote this in Philippians 4 -
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have LEARNED in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have LEARNED the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13
Contentment doesn’t come naturally. As Paul said, we must learn it. And when we do, you’ll find so much more freedom to follow Christ. It doesn’t mean you don’t save money and make money, it means money and possessions are not your gods, Jesus is!
So, the psalmist is praying, Lord make me content. Don’t let me have that desire to accumulate in a selfish manner. Instead help my heart to hear your testimonies, your witness to the world and that I will hold onto, not selfish gain.
Another struggle we have is what the psalmist is asking for in verse 37 - - -
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
OUCH!! That one hurts. How much time do we spend doing worthless things. How much time do we waste, then have to run around and rush and mess things up because we were chasing after worthless things to start with. Again, it doesn’t mean you can’t take a break at work or at home. It’s when you’re supposed to be doing something productive and you’re not. Those are the worthless things. And the psalmist is talking about his eyes.
What are we looking at with our eyes. What are we reading, watching, looking at? How much time do you spend on facebook, instagram, twitter, snapchat and whatever newest thing comes out? Our eyes are a great filter. What we allow in, goes straight to our heart. That’s why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23 - - -
23 Guard your hearts for all of life flows through it. – Proverbs 4:23
And sometimes, the longer you look at a worthless thing, the easier it is to fool yourself into thinking it's not such a bad thing after all.
In order for us to live lives of integrity, we need discernment. We need to be able to recognize beforehand that this road doesn't lead anywhere good, so I won't get on it.
And sometimes we need to be reassured by God that we are on the right path. Do you ever need reassurance? That’s what I hear the psalmist asking for - - -
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we’re moving in the right direction. Sometimes it’s that way when you’re driving somewhere you’ve never been to. You look at the map and you can see you’ve made all the correct turns and you’re getting there.
Every now and then, it's good to be reassured every now and then that you're still on the right path. It’s praying to God that you are moving along the proper path. We may think we are, but sometimes we doubt ourselves. satan loves playing those tricks with us. Don’t believe him, believe God. And when you’re reminded / reassured you’re on the right path, you want to stay on that path as well.
The psalmist prays - - -
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
He’s praying for victory. Help me to be victorious over being sinful. I don’t want to go there, because your rules are good. And if I believe your rules are good, then why would I want to break them, yet I do, so help me to turn away from evil, so I can be victorious in you, Lord.
God can't help you as long as you are dabbling in sin. It’s going back to being consistent in your walk with God. It’s not saying, ‘well, I gossip a little, and that’s not too bad. I get really angry at times, but everyone does, don’t they? I had a moral mess up, but I’m only human, right?’
The hope and the goal is to view sin as nasty, that you don’t want God to judge you for your sinfulness. You want to walk the path of victory.
And last of all, we need to pray that God will give us - - - -
40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
The final point is to hold onto God’s precepts. If you notice we’ve had so many different words to talk about God’s commands. We need to hang on to God, we need to approach His throne room, knowing He loves us and wants to be in a relationship with us. It’s why He sent Jesus for us. Jesus came to redeem your life. To give you a life and a hope.
Our lives are nothing without God. We need His Spirit to flow through our spirits. Our everyday prayer should be “God, pour your life-giving Spirit into me. Live through me. Keep me safe. Keep me strong. Help me to delight in you with my whole heart! You're all the hope I have.”
Integrity — it’s not always easy, but as we see in this Psalm -- we need to ask God for ------ ------
wisdom and understanding
to delight in God’s commands
for contentment
Be productive
discernment
victory
following God
Integrity is a process. It's a life-long journey. This journey is fueled by a one-on-one relationship with God. As you seek God, as you draw closer to Him, you will find He is drawing closer to you and you are able to become more and more a person of integrity.
But you can do it through Christ. This my friends will help the world to see you are serious about following God, about loving God, and as a result, you will have a greater opportunity to make a difference in the world.
