Feb 20, 2011

The Path of Integrity

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. (ASV)(Proverbs 20:7)

Here's another helpful devotional from the book of Proverbs by Rev. J. Andrus. This one is concerning honesty and integrity:

The Path of Integrity

An honest man's the noblest work of God.
----Robert Burns

Integrity is basic to godly character. The root idea of the word integrity is unity, that is, being undivided or unbroken, in sound condition. In moral usage it refers to being morally sound, honest, upright.

To be saved through faith in Christ is a wonderful thing. But, we must not stop there. We must allow God, the Holy Spirit, to teach us the qualities and virtues of godly living and then to train us to walk in integrity. Perhaps we were careless with the truth: not necessarily bald lies, but perhaps we often exaggerated. God would have us to break with these past habits.

Here are some practical helps toward integrity:

1. Ask God for a deep desire to be thoroughly honest.
2. Try to break the habit of looking for dishonesty in others and rather concentrate on yourself.
3. Determine, by God's grace, that you are going to be honest in everything, not just some things.
4. Practice honesty a day, no, an hour, no this moment, and each moment at a time.
5. Do not become discouraged and do not despair if you occasionally slip. Don't excuse the slip, but, on the other hand, do not let it get you down. God still loves you and wants you to get up and develop the habit of honesty.
6. Thank Him privately for His help in the matter.
7. Never draw attention to the progress you are making. If you do, the Devil will almost surely hit you with everything he has, and soon you will be ashamed that you even thought you making progress.

The quality of integrity always reflects for good upon one's family: "His children are blessed after him." Its effects are extensive and enduring.

Give us the man of integrity, on whom we can thoroughly depend...the friend faithful and true;...such an one is a fragment of the Rock of Ages.
---J.P. Stanley

Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper




Psalm 122:1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (HCSB)