How Integrity Blesses You

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

How Integrity Blesses You By Rick Warren — Oct 31, 2015 “A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.” (Proverbs 20:7 GW) The Bible says that God blesses those who have integrity (Matthew 5:8). So what are the blessings you can expect when you live your life with authenticity and a pure heart? Personal Confidence When you have integrity, you become the kind of person that other people like to be around because you know who you are and where you’re going. Proverbs 10:9 says, “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed” (NLT, second edition). When you don’t have integrity, it’s like walking on an icy path after a snowstorm. You’re putting every bit of your energy into trying not to fall. When you have integrity, you’re standing on solid ground. A Lasting Legacy Your greatest legacy is your integrity, because it will last from generation to generation. Everything else that you do gets lost. When you’re gone, your money will be divided among your family, and it’s going to be spent. Your work will be given to somebody else. All the trophies that you’ve earned are going to be thrown in the trash and taken to the dump. But your character is going to be translated into the lives of the people around you and then into the lives of the next generation. It is a lasting legacy. The Bible says in Proverbs 20:7, “A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone” (GW). Rewards in Eternity Matthew 25:21 says, “You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things” (NCV). We tend to think that the rewards are in the big moments of life, where everybody is watching. But it’s in the small moments that you show real integrity. Every small word of encouragement you give this next week will be rewarded eternally. Every small act of kindness will be rewarded in eternity. Every time you reject a temptation, you will be rewarded in eternity. That’s the power of integrity and the difference it makes not just here but for eternity! PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Think of a time when you should have had integrity but didn’t. What were the effects on you emotionally, spiritually, and physically? How does your integrity make a difference in the next generation? What small acts can you do this week that no one will notice but will demonstrate your integrity to God? Today’s Scripture “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glorify to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, ESV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS You are An Example You are God’s representative in this earth. When you follow the Word of God and allow Him to work in your life, you are letting your light shine. When you are good to people and show them kindness, even when they don’t deserve it, you are shining your light. When you smile and keep a good attitude, even when things don’t go your way, you are setting an example so that people will glorify God in heaven. Notice this Scripture says, “they will see your good works.” People aren’t impressed by our knowledge or what we say; people are drawn to God by our good works. Today, ask the Lord to show you ways to share His goodness with others. Look for opportunities to let your light shine everywhere you go—at home, at work, in the grocery store, at the gym. There’s always an opportunity to be an example of God’s goodness! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for choosing me to be Your representative. Show me how to let my light shine. Help me be an example of Your love and grace everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen.”