Apr. 15 | Integrity

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

Lesson 15 | Integrity  

“Sure, I’ll call you this week!”  Don’t you hate it when people tell you they’re going to call you and never do?!  Or when people say, “No problem, I will come to your house this Saturday at 10am and help you move?”  And they never show up!

The word “integrity” means, “a firm dedication to a set of morals or beliefs.”  Solomon in the above proverb is teaching the simple, yet powerful benefit of having integrity- “guidance.”  When you have a firm dedication to God’s commands and Word you will be safely guided by those principles on the path of life.

However, if you are double minded (act in duplicity) with keeping God’s moral code and commands, you will be destroyed.  The people who have integrity are called; “upright” and those who are double minded are called, “unfaithful.”  Who are you?  And who do you want to be for the rest of your life?

Take a few moments to answer the following questions honestly, (1) Do people know you as someone who keeps their word?  (2) Are you dependable?  (3) Are you the same person in private that you are in public?  (4) Do you keep the same morals no matter who you are with or what environment you’re in?  And, (5) Do you have a good track record in your church, family, and job for being faithful?

If you answered “no” to any of the previous questions ask God to change you and make you a person of integrity.  For if you continue in your double-minded ways you will suffer harm, however, if you are upright and a person of integrity you will be guided on the path of life and given success in this life.

Also, remember to be a person of integrity in all you do… not just in the “big things.”  Come to work on time, don’t take what doesn’t belong to you (no matter how small it is), always tell the truth (even if it hurts), keep your word to return calls, and show up when you said you would.  People are watching you.  For most people you’re the only representation of Jesus they will see today!             

Reflection | Are you a person of integrity?   

Action | (1) Repent of any unfaithfulness to God or man you might have had. (2) Ask God to make you faithful.  (3) Lastly, live your life with integrity because people are watching! 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 11:1-12:24, Luke 17:11-37, Psalm 84:1-12, & Proverbs 13:5-6. Click here to read online.