READ: Proverbs 10:9, 11:3, 19:1, 20:7, 28:18
The book of
Proverbs calls us to a high standard and there are a few characteristics that
stand tall. One such “stand-out” is summed up in the word, “integrity”. If we
are people of integrity, we’ll be consistent, steady, unwavering. To be a person of integrity means what we
SAY, what we DESIRE and what WE do in private and public will be the same. To
have this kind of life brings GREAT pleasure to God!
Proverbs says
that, “whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways
crooked will be found out” (10:9). We see here that there is peace in being
consistent! When our ways get crooked, when we start wavering in our integrity,
we invite worry into our lives. What will happen if I get found out? What will
happen if that wrong word or action brings me negative consequences? Those who
do not walk in integrity can suddenly fall. Proverbs makes this clear. People
who consistently walk in integrity have no such worries. What an abundant life
that is! Let’s commit to integrity then!
Another benefit
of integrity is that, “the integrity of the upright guides them . . .” (11:3).
Put simply, we will know what to do and when to do it! People who have
integrity have incredible confidence. They often know without confusion, what to do. Those who struggle to be consistent
will find that confusion reigns in their life. Who would want this? A further
benefit of integrity is that future generations will be blessed by the
integrity of their parents. It is incredibly rare to find a wayward teenager or
young adult who has come from a home that is filled with integrity.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Praise
God that He is consistent, that He never changes. Thank Him that He is a Rock
to stand on. Maybe even picture a massive rock as you pray, with you standing
on it. This is who He is and wants to be for us!
2.
“To
be a person of integrity means what we SAY, what we DESIRE and what WE do in
private and public will be the same.” Spend some time meditating on this
definition of integrity and ask God to examine your life. Receive His
affirmation for where you’re doing well, but also correction for anywhere you
are “crooked” in your ways, words or desires.
