I recently had the opportunity to speak at Chi Alpha's Man Group. Trying to think through what I could possibly talk about to a group of guys about what it meant to be a godly man, I immediately thought about Integrity. When I think about influential men in history, the area that so many have failed in is integrity. Failure in integrity has also been a huge issue in my life. It's tough to say, but I've screwed up a bunch.
Because I'm familiar with public failures in integrity I kind of know what or how I am before I fall. It's hard to describe the feeling, but I suppose its an air of arrogance or confidence not justly felt. Moreover, this arrogance or pride normally leads me to say or do something stupid that ends up leading to public moral failure. The past month or so I've been feeling like I've teetering on that edge. The following outline is what I've concluded is absolutely necessary to maintain integrity.
1. What is integrity?
Doing the right thing even when no one is looking
Doing the right thing even when no one is looking
2. What
does it mean to have integrity?
People trust you. You are a credible person a person of character
People trust you. You are a credible person a person of character
3. Why
is it important to have integrity?
4. Who
are some people that have integrity?
Bible Discussion:
Biblical characters that had integrity:
Moses and David
Both Moses and David are known as great men of God, yet despite all the good things they did for the people of God under God's power they both had failures in integrity.
Both Moses and David are known as great men of God, yet despite all the good things they did for the people of God under God's power they both had failures in integrity.
On Integrity: Psalm 101
David’s Response to
failures in Integrity
2 Sam 12:13-14, 2 Sam
24:10
Even though David had huge failures in integrity he is still known as a man after God's own heart because in his times of hubris and failure, he turned his attention upward and bent his knee to the true Lord. David confessed his sin, took responsibility for it and humbled himself before God.
The Key to Maintaining Integrity: Humility
God has used this following verse recently in my life to remind me of what I must do. When I am confused or tempted, angry or hurt God has already told me what to do when I become prideful. When I start to feel entitled to indulge my emotions and act out in a way that I know to be sinful. God says:
Micah 6:8:
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the
Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with your God?
James 4:1-10
So many times I am tempted to put myself first. To do the things that I think are going to satisfy or fulfill me. But each time I do this I forget that as a person who says he is a follower of Jesus, a person who has declared Jesus Lord of my life that I have surrendered all control of my life to Him. The things that I seek to please or satisfy myself in my own strength and wisdom turn out to be my destruction. Each time I choose to satisfy myself I am taking the reins of my life back from Jesus. Every time I do that I spit in the face of Christ, the Lord who gave up His life for me. Jesus, my Savior who was beaten, scorned and bled for me. Pride is what needs to go in my life. Humility is what I need. If I want to live a fulfilled life, a satisfied life, then I must draw near to God and humble myself before Him.
James 4:1-10
So many times I am tempted to put myself first. To do the things that I think are going to satisfy or fulfill me. But each time I do this I forget that as a person who says he is a follower of Jesus, a person who has declared Jesus Lord of my life that I have surrendered all control of my life to Him. The things that I seek to please or satisfy myself in my own strength and wisdom turn out to be my destruction. Each time I choose to satisfy myself I am taking the reins of my life back from Jesus. Every time I do that I spit in the face of Christ, the Lord who gave up His life for me. Jesus, my Savior who was beaten, scorned and bled for me. Pride is what needs to go in my life. Humility is what I need. If I want to live a fulfilled life, a satisfied life, then I must draw near to God and humble myself before Him.
What does walking
humbly with God look like?
It's one thing to say that the key to integrity is humility, but saying that doesn't mean anything if I don't pin down practical ways to be humble.
It's one thing to say that the key to integrity is humility, but saying that doesn't mean anything if I don't pin down practical ways to be humble.
Philippians 2:1-16
I need to continually be reminded of the fact that I'm a depraved man saved by the grace of Christ. If I claim to be a follower of Christ then I must live my life the way He did. Jesus my Lord humbled himself, putting the the interests of those he loves above Himself and submitted to death on a cross for my sake. For the sake of all who have come to life in Jesus.
I need to continually be reminded of the fact that I'm a depraved man saved by the grace of Christ. If I claim to be a follower of Christ then I must live my life the way He did. Jesus my Lord humbled himself, putting the the interests of those he loves above Himself and submitted to death on a cross for my sake. For the sake of all who have come to life in Jesus.
How can I avoid the
fall?(Proverbs 16:18)
How can make a habit
out of maintaining an attitude of humility?
Do I look out for the
interests of others? How?
Do I have a problem
being a person above reproach? A person
of Integrity?
How do I maintain my
integrity?
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