Proverbs 19:1 “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
Integrity is something that should characterize every one of God’s children. When we speak of someone’s character, we are speaking about what he is in the heart. When we speak of someone’s reputation, we are speaking of what others think of him. Yes, people may affect our reputation by what they say or do not say or how they respond when our name is called. People may have some bearing upon our reputation, but all of us determine our character by how we respond personally to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Character is what we are; reputation is what others think we are……
Our character, what we are, the makeup of our lives, should be characterized by integrity.
The word integrity is a powerful word meaning “to be complete; together in honesty; nothing to hide or fear; transparent; together.” It is the work of God to put things together. It is the work of the Devil to tear things apart, to separate, to divide.
So many need integrity….We need a revival of integrity…. As children of God, we are called to live on a standard that is higher than the world. We are to live on a biblical standard!
Remember Matt. 5:13-14. Christ said we are salt. Christians should be believable. We have a testimony to guard/ to protect! Job 2:1-3. Job was a man of integrity.
Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
Job 27:1-5, “till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.”
Job 31:1-6, “let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”
Remember: God sees everything I do. I cannot fool Him. God knows every step I take. God knows the thoughts of my mind. May God put me on the scale and see that I am a person of integrity. Let us give our word and keep it.
Integrity comes from:
- Knowing God
- Fearing God
- Living for God
In this day of integrity crisis, remember that character counts!
Please take time to read-write out these verses….
Job 2:3 Job 27:5
Job 31:1-6 Psalm 7:8
Psalm 25:21 Psalm 26:1
Psalm 26:11 Psalm 41:12
Proverbs 11:3 Proverbs 19:1
Proverbs 20:7