Joseph – A man of Integrity
| January 12, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Articles, General, Sermons |
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Pastor Viju Mathai
Latest posts by Pastor Viju Mathai (see all)
- Discernment vs. Judgment – V (God’s Guidelines for Discerning) - April 4, 2016
- Discernment vs. Judgment -IV (How do we Discern) - April 4, 2016
- Discernment vs. Judgment -III (Diakrino, Dokimazo) - April 4, 2016
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan/Godless Society
1 Peter 2:11-12 ….11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul (will, mind and emotions; V1). 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 1:17… 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 2:9-10… 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:1… Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 Peter 2:21… To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.
Romans 12:1-2 (A Living Sacrifice)… 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16…14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
Romans 5:3-5… 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
James 1:2-4… 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The hallmark of the Christian life is integrity.
- We are exiles – we are not have by choice, but by the will of God
- Although we are not of this world, we are called to submit to authorities (1 Peter 2:13)
- Since we are foreigners and exiles, we do not belong to this world. Therefore the world will always look at us with a slanted look, a scrutinizing eyes, a judgmental attitude. We claim to be different, we live unique and separated lives and this only increases their curiosity.
- Our actions in secret, private or public life will either glorify God or dishonor Him.
- It is our character that builds our reputation and it is our integrity that holds our character and repurtation
Upright character is an important ingredient in any person’s life. Character is the guard of your reputation and a necessity for success in any sphere of life. Without it, nations, businesses, churches, and families crumble and fall into moral disarray. However, important as character is, there is something that is even more important, and that is integrity.
The word “see” (1 Peter 2:12) means “observe”, not a passing glance but a concentrated effort. People are making mental notes on us. People are watching us whether we like it or not, especially if we claim to be a believer.
What do they watch? They watch to see if:
- Our behavior matches our belief,
- Our walk matches our talk and preaching
- Our character matches our confession,
- What we claim to believe on Sunday is put into practice on Monday.
In a word, they watch to see if we have integrity. One of the great needs in our times is believers walking in integrity. He has called us to be different from the world; not so much in our appearance, but in our character and integrity. Since the world is so lacking in integrity, when we show integrity in our lives, it sets us apart from the world and helps demonstrate the character of our God.
Martin Luther said, “If I knew the world would go to pieces tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree and pay my debts.”
If no bill collector was coming after you, would you still pay your bills? If the boss is nowhere around, do you still put in eight hours’ work for eight hours’ pay? Do you work harder when the boss is watching than you do when he’s not?
What is the difference between integrity and character?
Character (depends on mind and habits) is a matter of doing right, over and over without even a thought until it becomes a part of your life. You teach a child to get up in the morning, make his bed, get dressed, read her Bible, and do his chores, and so on. You teach children to treat adults with respect. You teach them diligence, patience, and a good work ethic. When they learn all of that and then do it without thinking about it, they are displaying character. Character, somebody said, is doing right by habit. It’s simply doing the right thing automatically. You can train character into a child. Good character is the natural response of acting or reacting according to high standards of behavior in every situation.
What is Integrity?
We frequently think of a man of integrity being honest and trustworthy, but integrity is more than that. I have found three definitions of integrity in the dictionary.
- Integrity is undivided, unbroken or completeness.
- It is “an unimpaired undamaged condition.” soundness, wholeness.” It is most often applied to a structure or a physical object, say the girders in a bridge, an engine block, or a piece of pottery.
Contractors and engineers refer to the integrity of steel. There are times when you can have two pieces of steel that both look great on the outside—there’s no apparent difference between them—but one of them, when it is put under stress, may not support the weight. The reason the other piece of steel does hold up under stress is because it has integrity. They hold on to its attributes even when they are pulled or pressed in unusual ways.
- It is, “moral soundness or uprightness.” It is firm adherence to a code of moral values, i.e., incorruptible, honorable
Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn’t succumb to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority. Integrity is to personal character what health is to the body or 20/20 vision is to the eyes. Integrity comes from the word integer. A person of integrity is whole, their lives are put together. People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. As Solomon wrote, “The one who lives with integrity lives securely” (Prov. 10:9). Their lives are open books. They say to a watching world, “Go ahead and look. My behavior will match my beliefs. My walk will match my talk. My character will match my confession. Who I am on Sunday will be the same on Monday and every other day of the week.”
It refers to or describes a person who is without any hypocrisy, without any duplicity, someone who is completely in every aspect of life consistent with his or her stated convictions. Really, it is the opposite of a hypocrite. A person who lacks integrity, a person who says one thing and does another is called a hypocrite
Integrity is doing what God would say is the right thing, even if it costs you. It means obeying God’s law, speaking only truth, and putting the other person ahead of yourself. It means displaying the character of God in your daily walk.
Examples:
- A man of integrity will always tell the truth, even if it makes him look bad.
- A man of integrity will never take something that doesn’t belong to him, even if there is an implied permission to do so, or it is “commonly understood” to do so.
- A man of integrity will go back to a store to return the change if they give him too much.
- A man of integrity will look for the owner of lost money instead of putting it in his own pocket.
- A man of integrity would rather be cheated than allow another to be cheated in a business deal.
- A man of integrity will do what he says he’ll do, even if it is difficult to do so.
- A man of integrity will be where he says he’ll be, even if he has a problem doing so. If he can’t be there, he will call beforehand to let the other part know.
- A man of integrity will put the needs of others before his own.
- A man of integrity will “turn the other cheek” rather than hurt the other person.
- A man of integrity would rather die than deny, or turn away from, his integrity.
Walking in integrity is to not let man affect what we say and do. As soon as we let the opinion of other men change our actions, we change who we are. Even if those people are believers, doing what they want changes us in one way or another.
Integrity (depends on what is in our heart) is character, but it is also more than character. Integrity is actually more important than character. Integrity is character that truly comes from the heart. It is character that is resolute. It is character that cannot be changed or polluted. Integrity is more likely to produce character than character is to produce integrity. In fact, integrity is the parent of character. You may find a person who doesn’t have much character, but if he has integrity, he will eventually build character. I’ve seen young people whose parents were not Christians and had no interest in Christianity. Some of these young people got saved and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and produce integrity in them. Before long, they were saying, “I want to do right. It doesn’t matter what anybody else says or does, I’m going to do right.”
A person like that will eventually develop character. Character deficiencies are really a result of a lack of integrity.
Integrity is more than good habits that have been formed. I’ve seen people form good habits and then go bad. Why? Because even though they had good habits, they didn’t have the integrity to undergird and support the good habits.
Integrity is a determination of the heart. Integrity is the unwavering determination in the heart to do right no matter what.
- While character is by 9formed) habit and depends on what’s programed in our mind, Integrity depends on what is in our hearts. It comes from the heart, it is a passion, a resoluteness
- Integrity is the measure of strength or durability or depth of a character
- Integrity keeps a character together when it is strained
- Integrity is a determination of the heart. Integrity is the unwavering determination in the heart to do right no matter what.
- Integrity makes a man hold on to what he believes in spite of fear, attacks, rejection, mocking, emotions, challenges, intimidation.
- It is the opposite of corruption or hypocrisy
- A person of integrity is authentic. There is no duplicity of attitudes and actions.
- Integrity is the depth, the strength or the measure of your character.
- When I’m afraid, I must do right. When I’m not afraid, I must do right.
- When my emotions try to lead me the wrong way, I must have integrity and trust what is in my heart. I must do right. When my emotions are doing fine, I must do right.
- When I’m among the heathen, I must do right. When I’m not among the heathen, I must do right.
- When I’m among committed Christians, I must do right. And when I’m among Christians you can hardly tell apart from the world, I must do right.
- When my friends stand with me, I must do right. When my friends attack me, I must still do right.
- When my friends turn on me, despise me, make fun of me, and put me down, I must still maintain integrity.
- If my wife and children stand with me, I must do right. If my wife and children don’t stand with me, I must do right.
- When it’s easy, I must do right. When it’s hard, I must do right.
- When there’s no cost, I must do right. When the cost seems high, I must do right.
- When people like it, I must do right. When people don’t like it, I must do right.
- A man of integrity tells the truth. Period. He tells the truth when he is under oath. He tells the truth when he’s not under oath. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay” (Matt. 5:37).
That’s integrity. If there is anything that is needed in believers today, it is that kind of integrity. Young men simply need to have the resolve in their hearts and souls to say, “I will do right. I may not feel like it. I may not get any support or encouragement. But I’ve got to have integrity and I won’t let it go. I’ve got to do right!” Integrity is that thing in a man or a woman that says, “I must and will do that which is right.” Period. No question marks.
Example: A few years ago, a college sports team won a championship game. After they did, the coach discovered they had ineligible players on the team. Without anybody forcing him to do so, the coach stepped forward and relinquished the championship trophy. Without waiting to be found out, he brought the trophy and gave it back. That’s integrity.
Holding Integrity in Your Heart
How can a person hold onto integrity? Only by having it and keeping it in the heart. If it is not in the heart, integrity is up for grabs.
- If it is not in your heart, then the mind will begin to rationalize and figure out a way to get around it.
- If your integrity is only in your mind, somebody will talk you out of it.
- If your integrity is only in your hands, somebody will be able to buy it from you.
- But if integrity is in your heart, then with God’s help, you can keep it no matter what.
Let me ask you a key question: What would you do if you knew that nobody would ever find out? If you knew you would never be caught, what would you do?
- Which is stronger in your heart right now, greed or integrity? Would you steal if you knew no one would ever find it out?
- Which is stronger in your heart, lust or integrity? What would you look at if you knew no one would ever find out? Where would you go if you knew no one would ever find out? What would you do if you knew that no one would ever find out?
Job was a man of Integrity
God asked Satan if he had considered the integrity of Job. But how could Satan know of Job’s integrity unless it was demonstrated in Job’s life? God could know because He was omniscient. But Satan could only know because of observation. So Job’s integrity was a demonstrated integrity. But isn’t that always the case? You know, if you’re subtle, if you’re sneaky, if you’re deceptive, it’s sometimes possible for you to hide those character flaws. But if you have integrity, it’s going to shine through, folks. It will be demonstrated.
God recognized Job’s integrity and said to Satan
Job 1:8-12 …Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright (man of integrity), a man who fears God and shuns evil.”9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
God understands how much we can take and He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can withstand
Job 2:3-6 …Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” 4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
If someone has integrity, you can count on them in whatever situation. Why? Not because they’ll do what you want, but they’ll do the right thing, whether it is what you want, or not. Again, they’ll do the right thing no matter what it costs them.
Job 27:5 (Job said to his friends) …”I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity”.
All through Job’s ordeal, he was given many opportunities and temptations to deny God. Yet in all this, the Bible says he “did not sin against God.” Why? Because even in the midst of torment, Job held on to his integrity.
Job 1:22 …In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 42:1-6 … 1 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
If a man has integrity and he sees a character deficiency or a character flaw in his life, he will say, “I need to deal with that. I can’t let that character flaw stay in my life.” Nobody is perfect; that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about steel that is sound. We’re talking about the steel of resolve on the inside of a person’s soul: the resolve to do that which is right. Even after God vindicated him, even after God defended him in front of his friends, even after God rebuked his friends and decided to bless him, Job found the need to repent and see forgiveness from God. The standards are written in his heart and somehow he feels he has violated his master in some ways and he must make amends for it. “Against you and you alone have I sinned! I have disturbed our sweet fellowship” I have violated your trust. I am so sorry!!!
Daniel was a man of Integrity – so were his friends
Daniel 1:8, 15-17 …But Daniel resolved (purposed in his heart) not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ….15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Daniel 3:16-18, 28-30 …16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” ….28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:10 …Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Joseph was a man of Integrity
Probably one of the greatest examples of a man of integrity we have in the Bible is Joseph. Even though his brothers treated him wrongly, selling him into slavery, he maintained his relationship with the Lord, and continued to walk in integrity.
Wisdom & Integrity: It is these two characteristics that caused him to be raised to the highest position in Egypt, as Pharaoh’s Prime Minister (Gen 41:40). Pharaoh saw the hand of God on Joseph’s life, and saw in him someone with both wisdom and integrity; someone in whom Pharaoh could place his trust to do what was necessary. Joseph didn’t suddenly receive integrity as a gift from God when he needed it to serve Pharaoh; he lived in integrity throughout his life. We see this in the various things that the Bible records him doing.
After Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, he became a slave of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. That must have been quite a blow to Joseph, going from being the favorite son of Jacob, a wealthy man, to being a slave. Yet Joseph was faithful in his new position. So faithful that Potiphar promoted him and put him in charge of his whole household. His integrity was so high at that point in his life that his master trusted him to the point that he “he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate”.
Genesis 39:4-6 … 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife also saw these characteristics in Joseph and was attracted to him. She asked him to “lie with her”. Not only did she do this once, but the Bible says she did this daily (day after day). Joseph’s response the first time showed his integrity.
Genesis 39:7-10… 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
Not only did Joseph refuse Potiphar’s wife the first time, but it says in verse 10 that he didn’t even want to be with her even though she was offering herself to him daily.
Finally, probably in frustration, she lays a trap for him and gets him alone in the house. “And she (Potiphar’s wife) caught him (Joseph) by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (Gen 39:12). He was so adamant about protecting his integrity, that he didn’t let her hand on his clothing stop him, and she literally tore his clothes off him in his escape.
Success nor circumstances neither could corrupt Joseph or change his knowledge and awareness about his God: He was a quick learner, he had to learn the new culture, new language, new trades, …etc, but he knew that no matter what changed, his God was unchanging and that his righteous standards do not change with circumstances. It was easier to sleep with Potiphar’s wife, good for his career, yet he knew that when we sin we sin against God. He had to flee the house of Potiphar no matter what the consequence would be. Joseph wasn’t just worried about Potiphar finding out. He was worried about having to live with himself, knowing that God would know what he had done.
Holding integrity in our hearts: Integrity says, “I can’t do this because I can’t live with myself if I do.” That is integrity in the heart. “How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
Notice that Joseph wasn’t primarily worried about Potiphar finding out. People who are unfaithful to their mates are usually only worried that their mate or the other person’s mate will find out. They’re not as likely to maintain integrity as they would be if they recognized that God is always watching them and were more concerned about Him knowing what they did than someone else knowing.
Psalm 139:7 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”
No matter where we go, or what we do, God is always there. It is what you do in the stillness of your day that builds character in our lives. Strength of character is what defines us as a person and how we are perceived by others. Building strength of character means resting in the arms of your Savior as you go through your day.
Although Joseph acted with integrity, it cost him. Potiphar’s wife lied to her husband, telling him that Joseph had come to rape her. Scripture doesn’t tell us what Joseph’s response to this accusation was. Although he knew it would cost him, he refused to say anything against her.
Even in prison Joseph acted with integrity. Joseph found favor in the sight of the warden of the prison and he put Joseph in charge of everything in the prison. His time in prison, and the integrity he showed there, ultimately led to him becoming Pharaoh’s prime minister.
Jesus walked in Integrity – He is the model of integrity
Matthew 22:16 (Mark 12:14)…They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.
Without a doubt, Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His life evidenced his purity and excellent character that his enemies could only declare. Even at the conclusion of his life here on earth as he stood before Pilate in the mockery of a trial, the ruler said, “”I find no grounds for charging this man” (Luke 23:4). There was no basis for guilt, no evidence of fault, found in Jesus. In other words, his behavior matched his belief, his walk matched his talk, his character matched his confession.
It is for these reasons that Peter instructed all believers:
1 Peter 2:21… To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Peter gives us the example, the model of integrity that we should follow. If the world is watching us, then we should be watching Christ. We should follow his example. We should do as he has done. Even Jesus’ enemies recognized Him as a man of integrity. His very life was in danger because of His integrity, but that didn’t change His words, or His actions.
We need to walk in the same kind of integrity as Jesus did. Why? Because if we don’t we’ll never manage to be a witness for Him. Instead of giving a testimony to an unbeliever, we’ll talk about the ball game. Instead of stopping someone from treating another person badly, we’ll turn the other cheek. Instead of speaking out against the wrong in someone’s life, we’ll keep quiet. We cannot be an effective tool in the hands of our God if we let man effect our actions.
1 Peter 2:11-25 ….11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul (will, mind and emotions). 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- In tempting circumstances, stay away, flee, resist, abstain (1 Peter 2:11)
- In authoritative situations, submit, show respect, honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17)
- In the work environment, stand for what is right 1 Peter 2:18
- In suffering, bear, endure, seek God (1 Peter 2:19).
- In a watching society, be a good testimony (1 Peter 2:12)
Bible mentions in several places how integrity brings blessing to us. Several times the Hebrew word for integrity is translated uprightness.
1 Kings 9:4-5 – And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, “You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.”
Proverbs 2:20-21 ..20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;
Proverbs 10:9 … Whoever walks in integrity (uprightness) walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverb 11:3 …The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Proverb 13:4 …Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Proverbs 10:29 …The way of the Lord is a refuge (strength) for the blameless (upright), but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
Proverbs 19:1 …Better the poor whose walk is blameless (walk in integrity) than a fool whose lips are perverse.
Proverbs 28:6 …Better the poor whose walk is blameless (integrity) than the rich whose ways are perverse.
Proverb 28:18 …The one whose walk is blameless (integrity) is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
Psalm 41:11-13 …11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. 13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Security, guidance, and a guard of righteousness over our lives are some of the blessings that we receive when we walk in integrity. But look at the second half of each of those verses. Those who don’t walk in integrity receive exposure for their falsehood, destruction and are overthrown by wickedness. Just as there are always blessings for obeying God, there is always a price for disobeying Him.
The blessings of walking in integrity go past the individual and are passes on to their children as well.
Proverbs 20:7 …The righteous lead blameless (walks in his integrity) lives; blessed are their children after them.
I don’t know about you, but one of my desires in life is to see my children blessed. Here is a promise from God on how they can be.
1 Peter 2:11-12 ….11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul (will, mind and emotions; V1). 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 1:17… 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 2:9-10… 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:1… Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 Peter 2:21… To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.
Romans 12:1-2 (A Living Sacrifice)… 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16…14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
Romans 5:3-5… 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
James 1:2-4… 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.