Wisdomfied part 9-Integrity

  

Prepare Your Heart: Read Matthew 6:1-6.  Pray about the heart behind your service to God.  Is there any areas in your life where God wants to purify your desires to serve Him?

Integrity is a quickly vanishing trait.  Not many people seem to value doing what is right, even when no one else knows.  As a parent this quality is something I want to develop in them, so it is important for me to first look at my integrity in light of God’s Word. 

As I’ve studied the word and its meanings, the definition in full is not quite what I expected.  The word brings a sense of completeness, fullness, innocence, and simplicity alongside one whose heart is pure and whole before the Lord.  In many of this word’s use in the Bible, it is used to describe the heart (Gen 20:5, 1 Ki 9:4, Psa 78:72).  I would recommend reading Psalm 101 in its entirety before looking in Proverbs, as its theme is the godly man full of integrity.  The concept of simplicity intrigues me.  Do we make integrity more complex than it needs to be? 

The root of the word suggests that living in this way brings a sense of wholeness before the Lord.  Being complete is something every person seeks.  Every person who seeks that apart from God is worshiping an idol:  the work of their hands, that which their fingers have made (Isa 2:8).  We were made to worship and glorify God, not anything less.  Less means emptiness, lack of purpose, anxiety, insecurity.  Let us lean on God through Christ for our integrity and ability to access the Lord (Eph 3:12), relying on His sacrifice as worthy (2 Cor 3:5).

As you read the following verses in Proverbs, take note of integrity and it’s opposite.  Then notice the consequences for those who don’t consider how they live.

Integrity

·         10:9

·         13:6

·         15:26

·         21:8

·         24:8,9,18

·         28:18

·         29:10

Consequences

·         3:33-35

·         10:3, 22, 24,25

·         11:21,27,30,31

·         14:14,22

·         16:7

·         17:13

·         18:3

·         19:29

·         21:12,16,21

·         22:8

·         26:1,3,27

1 Sam 6:7 says God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, with the LORD looks at the heart.  I pray that today He has spoken to you about what He sees in your life when He looks at you, and that His word has showed you His desire for how you should walk in integrity.