Live with Integrity

Nov 18, 2014 Live with Integrity by Rick Warren “So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist.”(Ephesians 6:14a GNT) Integrity matters. The Bible says we’re in a war “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.” And we can’t battle those spiritual forces that threaten to derail our lives if we’re not living with integrity. Essentially, we’re committed to taking the truth of God’s Word and applying it to all areas of our lives, such as our moral, financial, relational, and sexual lives. It’s why Paul tells us we need to put on the Belt of Truth before we go into the spiritual battles that are all around us. He says, “So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14a GNT). The Belt of Truth holds up everything. Without truth, your life will fall apart, and spiritual darkness will take over. We put on our Belt of Truth by living with integrity. Integrity comes from the word “integer,” which means “unit of one.” Your life of integrity isn’t the pieces of the pie; it’s being the whole pie. To live a life of integrity, don’t just know the truth; live it out. Like your belt, integrity gives you stability. It holds you together in the middle through tough times. It gives you much-needed strength. Of course, living with integrity doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean always doing what’s right. If perfection were the standard for integrity, no one would have it. We all stumble at times. To live with integrity, let people see on the outside what’s going on inside. It means what you see is what you get. Hypocrisy is the great enemy of integrity. We practice hypocrisy when we know the truth and don’t do it. It’s when what we say isn’t the same as what we do. And it’s dangerous — very dangerous. A lack of integrity in any area of your life will leave you vulnerable to Satan’s arrows. In fact, the moment you start segmenting your life into different pieces — your church life, family life, sex life, etc. — you’ve lost your integrity. You’re not living the same in all areas of your life. Does life seem overwhelming? Do you feel like darkness is winning the battle in your life? It always will if you’re living a double life. Check your integrity. Do what God’s Word teaches in all areas of your life, not just where and when it is most convenient. You have no hope without that kind of integrity. Talk It Over In what areas of your life is it easier or more difficult to live by God’s Word? How do you need to work on your relationship with Christ so that what you display on the outside is a reflection of a strong spiritual walk?

Like a Flood

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
(Isaiah 59:19, KJV)

TODAY'S WORD:

We all have times when we feel overwhelmed by life. You get a bad report, unexpected news, or someone you trusted wrongs you. What does God do? He doesn’t sit back and think, “Too bad. Sorry your life is so difficult.” No, when the enemy comes in like a flood, God raises up a barrier. In other words, that injustice, that bad break, that sickness gets God's attention. He doesn't sit back. He goes to work! 

It’s like a parent with a child. If someone or something is giving them a hard time, you don't think twice. You stop what you're doing and immediately go to help. That's the way it is with our heavenly Father. When the enemy comes in like a flood, God steps up and says, “Hey, wait a minute. You're messing with the wrong person! That's my son. That’s my daughter. If you’re going to mess with them, you’re going to have to first mess with Me—the all-powerful Creator of the universe.” 

You’ve got to realize that in the tough times, you're not alone. You’ve got somebody fighting for you. The Most High God has your back, and He’s ready to raise up a standard to protect you when the enemy comes in like a flood!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for protecting me and fighting my battles. I choose to stand strong in faith knowing that You are fighting behind the scenes on my behalf in Jesus’ name! Amen.

​PS... ​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkPgph8-yHY