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infinitedabar · 9 days ago

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Integrity

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. (Psalm 101:2 KJV)

Integrity: The word “integrity” is an adjective that comes from the Latin intĕger and etymologically means “intact”, “pure”. Someone who lacks none of their parts and is said of an upright, moral and irreproachable person.

That is to say, a person with correctness, honesty, respect for oneself and for others, responsibility, emotional control, punctuality, loyalty, neatness, discipline, consistency, firmness in actions, and trustworthy.

Integrity is an essential value in our Christian life. It will help us stand firm at all times knowing that, even if no one is looking, God's eyes are still watching you. Integrity keeps your character intact and blameless. It will make you remember who you are in difficult times or in situations that are not favorable for you and your walk with God. Sometimes, we go through situations where our war against this flesh and the enemy often drives us to do things that go against Him and that is where our integrity is at risk. But, when we have integrity, a deep commitment burns from our heart and spirit to live honestly and correctly, not before others, but before God. When we decide to remain faithful to our principles and values even in the most difficult circumstances and in the face of our temptations, we honor God and his Word. (Proverbs 12:3 NLT Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.) When you live properly, your integrity begins to strengthen. Your life begins to be shaped to live righteously for God. We are open letters to the world, and when we have that fear for God and His Word, our life begins to turn around.

Integrity makes you develop an incorruptible character. Living with integrity means being consistent in our words and actions, having the courage to do the right thing, even if it is not the easiest. Even giving up those things or people that lead you to turn away from God, to compromise your faith, your values, principles, and righteousness. It is difficult because many times they are rooted in our lives, like a habit, or even in our hearts. But, it is better to be faithful to God than to man. It is better to be faithful to Him than to something material or to a feeling. This flesh will always lead you to have a debate between being honest and being corrupt/dishonest.

In the Word, we see several men who were faced with decisions and situations where their integrity was tested and challenged.

Joseph faced betrayal from his brothers and God led him to his destined place. But his integrity was challenged in his encounter with Potiphar's wife. Still, Joseph displayed unwavering integrity. He preferred to be thrown in jail than to corrupt his principles and his fidelity to God. In the end, God gave him much more than he had. To the point of having placed him as governor of Egypt.

Job, a man described as blameless and upright. There was no one like him. God introduced him to Satan but on one condition that he not lay a hand on him. Satan took everything he had and his wife wanted him to curse God and die. But Job maintained his integrity and refused to curse him. God knew what Job was made of. He knew his character and was sure that no matter what happened in his life he would never turn his back on him. So He let him go through one of the toughest storms in his life so that he could know who God truly was. That led him to develop an unbreakable integrity. Because of his faithfulness and integrity, God gave him much more than he had and a new wife after his own heart.

David, a man highly praised for his bravery despite his flaws and mistakes but at one point in his life he broke his integrity. A man positioned as king by God but he strayed from his principles and from that which led him to his greatness. But, after his fall with Bathsheba, his moments of repentance and genuine search for God's forgiveness reveal a heart that yearns for righteousness and a genuine desire to walk in God's ways. David recognized his wickedness and dedicated himself to returning to a life of integrity before God.

Through these man, we see the one who stood firm at all times, the one who had to go through tribulations to reaffirm his integrity and met God in the midst of it, and the one who failed but fought in repentance until he again had an upright life before God.

I don't know who you might be identify with, but just like these men, I also went through a time where my integrity was tested and challenged. Moment in which like Job, my integrity was shaped; it made me stronger. That's where I realized who God is. That's where I was able to see what God has been doing in my life all this time where I didn't see anything blossoming. Where I thought everything was dryness. Sometimes we don't see anything happening and we get desperate and start looking for answers in the wrong places. But, God in His mercy will not let you fall. While I was going through my process, the Spirit emphasizes to me over and over again to guard your integrity; take care of your integrity. At my church, there was a service where someone read this verse while the Spirit ministered to me about integrity Psalms 34:19 NLT The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. God touched my life. He gave me hope that I will find a way out of that situation that was draining my faith and was placing my integrity at risk like Joseph.

No matter what is happening, when God separates you and chooses you, He will come to your rescue just like he did with David.

There are times when we get into situations where God is not present because perhaps we think that we are strong enough or capable enough to deal with it alone. But He, in His mercy, shows you the way out. The Word tells us in Romans 8:28 KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Even if you make decisions and get into places that challenge your integrity, God will make you uncomfortable and reveal things until you leave that place. Not because He wants to see you suffer but because He loves you and cares for you like a father cares for his children.

As parents, when we see our children climbing on places, doing something where he/she will get hurt, or we warn them not to do certain things, our reaction is to take them out of that place or remove the things that are not good for them. For a while they cry, complain, and throw a tantrum because they were corrected on something they wanted to do. But, after a while, they accept the correction and continue on their way. Yet, there are times when the parent has to allow that child to experience what he has been telling him not to do for a long time. There are some who learn from the falls and the blows.

These is how God is with us. God has to allow things to happen in our lives so that we can wake up from the dream of indifference. So that we learn to obey him and trust him to bring correction and order to our lives. That is where the integrity of many is formed. In those moments is where God shows you your weakest places and teaches you to grow in faith and to depend completely on him. They are the perfect platform to teach us that without him we are nothing. Without his guidance and correction we are again headed towards a life of sin and disorder.

Living with integrity is not always easy, as we often face temptations to act against what we know is right or face situations that will shake us. But, by choosing to live with integrity, we strengthen our faith and build a solid foundation for our lives. By living with integrity, we demonstrate our trust in God and his plan for each of us, witnessing his love and grace in the midst of a world plagued by dishonesty and corruption.

Integrity creates a foundation of principles such as:

The birth of our character and all other virtues.

Not only avoid doing what is wrong, but refraining from doing what is immoral or goes against the teachings of Christ.

It leads you to make decisions based on caring for your salvation

Telling the truth at all times

Living a life without pretexts or excuses

Keeping our agreements, word, and commitments, even when it is not convenient. Being responsible

Not depending on the presence of others.

We cannot continue to fully acquire other Christian virtues until we first make integrity the primary foundation in our lives. In some cases, that may require us to go through the painful process of tearing out the current foundation built on wrong things and replacing it, stone by stone, with all that integrity encompasses.

Changing our nature, and not just our behavior, is made easier if we have the focused perspective that we are children of God, that the Holy Spirit lives within us and that He does not dwell in disordered vessels, and that through the renewing of our understanding we can become like Him.

Only he who is willing to do God's will and honor God with his actions wherever he goes can be upright. Even if he fails, he can recognize it, step aside, and come closer so that God can help him continue building that integrity. 2 Corinthians 8:21 (KJV) For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

God honors those who honor Him. Those who decide to do what is right in His eyes and in front of the whole world. Just as God honored Joseph, Job, and David. I assure you that God will honor you too when you decide to live a life of integrity in His presence. Let no one move you or shake you. When you embrace integrity, you learn to live being faithful to God.

At a certain point, I had to let go of something that was not doing me any good but that I had very close to my heart. I had to run from sin just like Joseph did. I cried and it hurt me. But, I decided not to compromise my integrity towards God, my church, my pastors, and myself. It is better to be faithful and obedient than to be in disarray and lead my house adrift. Today, I am beginning to see why God told me to let go. I can see God restoring my life and the person that was part of that process. So my brethren, do not be afraid to let go of anything to honor God and His Word, for your reward will not be long in coming.

Titus 2:7-8 (KJV) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Proverbs 21:2 (KJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

God Bless!

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