Which Way? (Part II): Spiritual Integrity

Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. (Proverbs 19:1)

We have been studying about God’s Economic Plan, and seeing how God’s plan for our economic prosperity differs from what the world presents. Last week we moved on from that study and started looking having a “good name”, a “good reputation”. Let’s review the three Key Points:

1. There are only two ways to do anything: God’s way, and the Wrong way!
2. Methods matter!
3. Motive is everything!

We concluded that we needed to be doing everything God’s way, motivated by love for Him and for His people.

Today we are going to continue teaching in this direction, as we take a look at “walking in our integrity”. Actually, we are going to break this lesson into two parts. Next week we will look at our “personal integrity”, our integrity as it relates to going through life and relating to other human beings. Today I want to look at our “spiritual integrity”, our integrity as it relates to the spiritual relationship we have with God, and how it drives (or should drive) everything that we do. Let’s start by looking at some definitions for the word “integrity”:

Webster’s Definitions:

1. the quality or state of being complete; unbroken condition; wholeness; entirety
2. the quality or state of being unimpaired; perfect condition; soundness
3. the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity – SYN see HONESTY

My Practical Definitions:

1. Being the same when nobody is looking as you are when somebody is looking.
2. Being the same when only God is looking as you are when other humans are looking.

When it comes to spiritual integrity, my second practical definition applies. Let’s remind ourselves of this key passage:

Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. (Psalms 139:7-8)

We need to be aware at all times that no matter where we are and no matter what we are doing, God is with us and watching us. We can’t hide from Him and we can’t fool Him (you can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you CAN’T fool God) – we CAN deceive ourselves, but we can’t deceive God. And if we realize that God is always watching we’ll find a better place to make our bed! So, today’s lesson is going to be one that challenges us. To do this, we are going to ask a series of key questions instead of stating key points. And why is this? Because it is too easy to just say that you are good:

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. (Proverbs 20:6-7)

So, let’s start with today’s Key Question Number 1: Are you being honest with yourself? The Bible tells us to find out:

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

The Bible gives us some tests that we can conduct, as we examine ourselves:

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10)

Are we saying one thing and doing another? Then the truth (God’s truth) is not in us! When I think of “spiritual integrity”, I think of our actions being consistent with our words, and our words being consistent with our actions, no matter where we are and no matter who we are with. Let’s ask ourselves some more questions, and let’s be honest with ourselves:

• Do you speak and behave one way in church, and a different way at home? Humans have this strange tendency to be nicer to strangers than they are to their immediate family. If you behave differently in church than you do at home, then you are lacking in spiritual integrity. As you examine yourself in this area, ask yourself: are you are being honest with yourself?


• Do you speak and behave one way in church, and a different way at work? People can talk of honesty in church, but then lie and deceive to get ahead at work. If you behave differently in church than you do at work, then you are lacking in spiritual integrity. As you examine yourself in this area, ask yourself: are you are being honest with yourself?

And here’s my personal favorite when it comes to examining ourselves:

• If you were arrested and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Keep in mind, just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a Big Mac! Ask yourself, and be honest with yourself: Are you producing good fruit?

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:15-23)

So, it is important that we be consistent in our words and actions, in order to bring forth good fruit. But beyond that, let’s ask ourselves another key question, which I take from Del Tackett from The Truth Project (http://www.thetruthproject.org/): Key Question Number 2: Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?

Let’s spend some time thinking on this question, because if we really do believe it, it will show in everything that we do!

• Do you really believe that The Bible is the inspired Word of God? (2 Timothy 3:16) Then you will read it and study it! If you are not actively reading it and studying it, do you really believe that what you believe is really real?


• Do you really believe that Jesus is who He said He is, the Son of God? (John 10:30) Then you should be living your life in obedience to everything that He told us to do! But if you aren’t seeking to know Him, if you are not growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, do you really believe that what you believe is really real?


• Do you really believe that Jesus is the ONLY way to have eternal life with God, and to avoid eternity in hell? (John 14:6) Then you should be telling your loved ones about Him! I realize that this is an area that we need to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16) – I have done some harm as a new Christian by trying to force the truth on people that I love. But if you are not sharing Jesus with people, do you really believe that what you believe is really real?

I realize that this type of lesson can make you feel like a failure, like you are not measuring up. But I want to encourage you that if it IS your desire to love and to serve Jesus, and if you have made the commitment to Him as your Lord and as your Savior, HE will complete the work in you:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

And if you have examined yourself, and you have honestly determined that you haven’t ever made a personal commitment to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, do it now! The Bible says

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9 & 13)

You can have a personal relationship with Jesus, a relationship that transforms you here and now in this life, and also results in eternal life with Him in heaven for ever! Just call upon the name of the Lord, and you shall be saved! (For a more complete explanation of God’s Gift of Salvation, go to www.sharethelemonade.net/2394.html, and when you make a commitment to Him make sure that you tell someone that can rejoice with you!)

So, let’s establish and maintain our spiritual integrity, so that everything that we say and everything that we do is consistent with being a Christian, consistent with being like Christ!!

Join us next week as we examine our Personal Integrity.

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