DIGGING DEEP NO. 897 – August 24th, 2021 INTEGRITY

Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn’t succumb to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority. Integrity is to personal character what health is to the body or 20/20 vision is to the eyes. Integrity comes from the word integer. A person of integrity is whole, their lives are put together. People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. As Solomon wrote, “The one who lives with integrity lives securely” Prov. 10:9. Their lives are open books. They say to a watching world, “Go ahead and look. My behavior will match my beliefs. My walk will match my talk. My character will match my confession. Who I am on Sunday will be the same on Monday and every other day of the week.”

I. The model of integrity – Without a doubt, Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His life evidenced his purity and excellent character, that His enemies could only declare, Mark 12:14. The New International Version translates it, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity.” Even at the conclusion of His life here on earth as He stood before Pilate in the mockery of a trial, the ruler said, “”I find no grounds for charging this man” Luke 23:4. There was no basis for guilt, no evidence of fault, found in Jesus. In other words, His behavior matched His belief, His walk matched His talk, His character matched His confession. It is for these reasons that Peter instructed all believers: “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps” 1 Peter 2:21 Peter gives us the example, the model of integrity that we should follow. If the world is watching us, then we should be watching Christ. We should follow His example. We should do as He has done.

II. The manifestations of integrity – But how is integrity practiced on a daily basis? Where do people watch us most closely? Peter answers that question. He identifies several arenas where integrity is put to the test with the watching world observing our reaction. He also provides some practical solutions to take in those arenas so that our integrity will stay intact.

A. In tempting circumstances, stay away – “Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you” 1 Peter 2:11. To abstain means not to get involved with or to keep away from tempting situations, we are to flee. To run. Get away. That means avoiding situations where you easily fall to temptation. It may mean having the hotel desk clerk to disconnect the porn channels on the television in your room before you enter. It may mean never traveling with someone of the opposite sex on business. It may mean avoiding certain groups of people where you are easily swayed into destructive behavior.

B. In authoritative situations, show respect – “Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. Honor everyone” 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17. Peter instructs us to respect the government and the ones who enforces the laws for the government. We are to submit, or to yield. He says that we are to yield to authority. Yielding to authority is a mark of a believer. Yielding, like coming to a Yield sign when driving a car, means letting the other guy have his way first. Submission or yielding is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of self-control. It is saying I don’t have to have my way all the time. Integrity says I may not like the law, but I will obey it. Integrity says I may not like the person in the office, but I will honor the position. Integrity says I may not like direction the nation is going, but I will pray for God’s intervention. Integrity says I will obey God first, even if it means that I suffer the penalty for doing the right thing.

C. In the work environment, stand for what is right – “Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel” 1 Peter 2:18. Slavery was prevalent in the Roman Empire. Some 60 million people were slaves. They were not considered persons, but rather property of their owners. While we don’t have this form of slavery in our country today, this verse still is applicable. Allow me to change two words. “Employees, submit yourselves to your employers with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. “As believers in Christ, our integrity goes to work with us. It manifests itself in the way we treat our boss, our clients, and fellow employees. It, also, manifests itself in the way we respond to the company’s procedures and policies, to difficult and sometimes unjust assignments, and the work place, itself. It further manifests itself in our attitude and convictions and honesty we display at our place of work. Remember, those people are watching. Integrity demands that we stand for what is the right and the upright thing to do at all times.

D. In suffering, seek God – “For it brings favor if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly” 1 Peter 2:19. The greatest test of integrity is how we respond to suffering. Nothing reveals one’s character quicker than problems and pain. That’s one of the reasons why God allows it. When we go through suffering it really reveals what we’re like. It has been said, “Christians are like tea bags, one doesn’t know what they’re like inside until they are in hot water. “As long as we live on this planet, we will experience suffering. We will have problems. We will have pain. The question is: how do we deal with it? People are watching to see just how we react to the misfortunes and sufferings of this world. Helen Keller was right, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” She also said that it was because of her blindness that she was able to see God.

Conclusion – Here are the facts: Our integrity is put to the test every day, in virtually every situation. We are being watched closely to see how we will respond. The choice of our walk matching our talk, our behavior matching our beliefs, our character matching our confession is left to us. What will we do?