Home | Truth Index

2003 - A Year Of Integrity

Like never before, the Holy Ghost is calling for integrity among God's people. What exactly is integrity? Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "a firm adherence to a code of moral values; the quality or state of being complete or undivided."

Does this describe you? Are your daily principles for living fixed on God's Word? Can it be said of you that you are "undivided" in your walk with the Lord?

In Psalm 26:11, David made the resolution - "But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity..."
At the start of a New Year, it would behoove us to do the same.

What he was saying here was that no matter what others did, by the Grace of God, he purposed to lead a holy life - a life of integrity and uprightness.

Acts 24:16 - He was determined to always have a "conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."
Psalm 26:9-10 - He resolved that, at the end of his life, his soul would not be gathered with "sinners" or "bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes."
Psalm 26:12 - His resolutions were fixed for God and godliness. No matter what the price, his testimony would be - "My foot standeth in an even place..." Though none accompanied him, he would walk the straight and narrow path - the plain, level, smooth, even, righteous, and just path - as opposed to that which was crooked, deceitful, and broad - and allowing for all kinds of evil and compromise along the way. He would do that which was right according to the dictates of the Word of God. His testimony would be impeccable - a testimony that would bring great glory to God and shame to his false accusers.

The year 2003 will be a Year of Scrutiny and Severe Examination of God's People - the Church. In order to be found standing "in an even place" when all is said and done, we must resolve to make integrity our greatest focus. We must determine to set aside all other goals and give preeminence to this one - the one to live holily, blamelessly, sincerely, and godly before God and men.

The name "Christian" or "Born-Again" will no longer be a "loose" label worn by most, but it will be a name carrying great significance by those who willingly pay the price of persecution and severe investigation by the world for actually being a follower of Christ.

What can we learn from David concerning "integrity"? What exactly does it entail? How do we know if we are walking "in an even place"? What criteria of examination can we follow?

In Psalm 26, this "man after God's own heart" set forth several evidences of "integrity" in a person's life. They are as follows:

1. Willing To Be Tried By God

Psalm 26:1-2 - "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity...Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart."

A person who is walking in integrity desires God's strict and rigid examination of his life in order to determine if his conduct agrees with his profession of Faith. He welcomes the most thorough investigation. He cries out to God for His spotlight to shine on every single area of his life. He willingly submits to the severest test or heat so that the motives, desires, and affections of his heart are dissected, exposed, and brought into clear view.

2. Aiming For God's Favor

Psalm 26:3 - "For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes..."

The person walking in integrity aims at the "lovingkindness" - favor, friendship, or approval - of God. This becomes his chief goal, purpose, and object of intense desire. To be in right standing with God and communicating "face-to-face" with Him is of greater value than all of the treasures of this world - wealth, honor, fame, and prestige.

3. Embracing The Truth

Psalm 26:3 - "...I have walked in Thy truth."

Walking in integrity also entails governing one's life by the dictates of God's Word. This person yearns to know the truth and to walk by its principles. He embraces the truth, making it his rule. He says and does nothing that cannot be backed by the Holy Scriptures.

4. Avoiding Bad Company

Psalm 26:4-5 - "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked."

Walking in integrity calls for a separation from certain types of people. Those walking in integrity are very cautious and circumspect concerning the people among whom they surround themselves.

At all costs, they avoid "vain persons." These are the ones who are addicted to amusement and frivolity. They are hypocrites, pretenders, liars, and backbiters.

They also avoid the company of the "dissemblers." These are the "hidden or deceitful ones" who conceal their real character, purposes, plots, or designs from others.

They detest the "congregation of evildoers." They will have nothing to do with their sin and revelry nor their plans of wickedness to injure another and oppose God.

They do not "sit with the wicked;" that is, they do not make them their friends. They do not imitate them nor allow their ungodly influence to effect their lives in any way, shape, or form.

5. Carefully Watching Against All Sin

Psalm 26:6 - "I will wash mine hands in innocence..."

None can claim to be walking in integrity if they do not purpose to stay away from all Sin. Purity will always be found as the ruling principle in their lives. They do not practice Sin nor do they cherish it in their hearts or minds. They despise it with a Holy Hatred. At all times and in every place, they strictly give no place to the devil and avoid even the very appearance of evil. They are determined to have purity of conscience and conduct no matter what the price.

6. Making Known To Others

Psalm 26:7 - "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works."

Those who are walking in integrity are always mindful of God's greatness and goodness and cannot keep silent. Their conversation is consumed with all that God has done for them. They just have to testify wherever they go.

7. Loving The Places Where God Is Honored

Psalm 26:8 - "LORD, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth."

Those who are walking in integrity look far and wide for places where they can obtain more grace to persevere in their walk with the Lord. Where two or three are gathered together in Jesus' name - there you will find them. They are the ones who long to hear God's Word preached under the mighty anointing of the Holy Ghost, are interceding for others, and are evangelizing their world. Hence, they are growing from grace to grace.

Psalm 26:11 - David resolved - "But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity..."
That was his resolution.

At the start of this New Year of 2003, why not make it yours?

Resolve that you and your family are going to submit to God's strictest scrutiny, revealing the value and quality of your Christian profession. Make winning God's favor and approval on your speech and behavior the object of your intense desire. Determine that you are going to know the Truth and then live it before all. Disassociate on a personal level with all those who are false and insincere. Eradicate Sin and all evil from your life and home.
Unashamedly and continuously declare unto others what God has done for you and yours. Frequent the places where God's glory is revealed and His grace is gleaned through the study of the Scriptures and through prayer.

Integrity - "a firm adherence to a code of moral values; the quality or state of being complete or undivided."

Does this describe you?

Don't start the New Year without making David's resolution yours -

"But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity..."

By God's enabling grace, you can do it


May God Bless His Word.
Connie

Home | Truth Index