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PSALM 1 vs 1 – 2, Vs 1, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful…” Vs 2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”What is integrity?
The word integrity comes from the Latin word integritas, which means to be whole, sound, complete or unimpaired. A person of integrity is a person who lives one life. They are not divided or schizophrenic (double personality).
Integrity is a life committed to truthfulness. Integrity touches and affects all that one is and does.
— Integrity is character — in fact your life will always take the shape of your character.
— Integrity is being authentic — real to the inside, genuine, pure and solid.
— Integrity is being guileless — not twisted from the inside while walking straight on the outside. Being deceitfully cunning, sly, fraudulent, double dealing and devious.
— Integrity is keeping our word.
— Integrity is paying your debts and keeping promises. Psalm 37 vs 21, “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” 6.
— Integrity is refusing to be bought, bribed or sold.
— Integrity is being true to your friends.
— Integrity is unmasking yourself and being more open. (Christians wear masks).
How can I build integrity in my life?
Build your character. The foundation of integrity is a good and credible character. Character is made up of our personalities and habits. Character means making hard choices. It means refusing to cheat, when you could easily gain by cheating. The money you found that no one would have known about it if you had pocketed it, but you decided to return it. Refusing to yell the confidential information about someone others were dying to know.
Determine to love and fear the Lord. Psalm 86 vs 1, “Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in thy truth, unite my heart to fear thy name.” The love and fear of God should fill our lives. When we fear God, you are bound to walk in integrity.
Determine to grow deeper into God’s word. 2 Timothy 2 vs 15, “And be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” The word of God will give you a sure foundation on which to build. The more you get into God’s word, the stronger your spiritual life will become.
Determine to walk in the truth of God. Psalm 119 vs 9 – 11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee, do not let me wander from Thy commandments.
“Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.”
Walking in truth means to avoid giving false promises. Never make promises which you have no intention of keeping. Be genuine, do not be a walking copy of other people’s styles, mannerisms, or words. God created you a unique creature for a unique life. Do not be neutral in your values. Let people know where you stand regarding issues and values.
Determine to have a positive attitude. Your attitude will affect your work, your spiritual life, your relationships and even your health. Stop being moody, always sulking, today you are happy next day you are moody.
Be accountable. Accountability is one of the most important cornerstones of integrity. It is good to have someone you can talk to when you need counsel.
It also gives that person authority to correct you when you are wrong.
Why be accountable?
It helps to keep us from falling into the pitfalls of the enemy. We all have blind spots. Proverbs 15 vs 31, “He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” Proverbs 27 vs 27, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Accountability protects us from grievous or silly mistakes. It is easy to be blinded by our success or our failure that we make grievous mistakes. It is true, especially when we have people praising and flattering our eyes, or when we have people condemning us. In such instances we need to be accountable to someone who will give us proper counsel or protection when needed. A growing problem today is that we have too many independent Christians who have no one to whom they are accountable. (Independent Christians).
Proverbs 11 vs 14, “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counsellors there is victory.”
Accountability gives us moral support. When you are facing the heat, it is always good to have someone to whom you can turn to. Life can be tough when you have no one who cares.
When is a person accountable?
When he is not defensive in any way. He is always willing and ready to explain or give account about his actions or motives.
When he has a teachable spirit. They are humble and willing to be corrected when they are wrong. Many Christians are not open to correction because it hurts their pride.
You are accountable when you are reachable. You are accessible to the people. You don’t hide from people.
We are accountable when we are sincere. We are honest and transparent. Your word can be trusted. You mean what you say.
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Bongani Ndlovu