Six Ways to Maintain Integrity

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Six Ways to Maintain Integrity By Rick Warren — Nov 3, 2015 “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open.” (2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG) Integrity demands that every area of your life is treated with the same intensity. You have the same commitment to excellence in your marriage as you do in your career. You have the same commitment to excellence in ministry as you do in your parenting. Let me give you six ways you can work this week to become a person of integrity. You become a person of integrity by … Keeping your promises. People of integrity keep their word. If they say they’ll do it, they do it. If they say they’ll be there, they show up. The Bible says in Proverbs 25:14, “People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain” (TEV). Paying your bills. You may not think this is a big deal, but it’s a big deal to God. Do you spend more money than you make? That is a lack of integrity. Do you get yourself in debt for things that you can’t pay off? That is a lack of integrity. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrow and never pay back.” Refusing to gossip. God is looking for men and women of integrity who know how to keep a secret and not pass it around on social media. Don’t talk about people behind their back. Don’t even listen to gossip! “A … gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence” (Proverbs 11:13 MSG). Faithfully tithing. Wherever you put your money first is what’s most important to you. Malachi 3:8-10 says, “Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings …. Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple …. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things” (TEV). By doing your best at work. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (NLT). If you’re a believer, your real boss is God, and whether or not anybody else sees your work, God does. By being real with others. A person of integrity doesn’t act one way in church and another way at work and another way on the golf course. “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open” (2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How do you keep from listening to gossip? What promises have you not kept that you need to follow through on for the sake of your integrity? How would you change the way you act and perform at work if God was sitting in your boss’ office and checking up on your work? Today’s Scripture “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” (Luke 17:6, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Mustard Seed Faith A mustard seed is a very small thing. But when it’s planted, it grows into a huge tree. In the same way, Jesus is saying that a little bit of faith can bring tremendous results! As a believer in Him, you already have enough faith on the inside of you to overcome any obstacle. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead actually dwells in you! It doesn’t matter if you grew up in church or not; it doesn’t matter what you know or don’t know, God wants to work in your life today. You may not see how, but all you have to do is believe God. With God, all things are possible. Do you have mustard seed faith? The Bible says that faith without works is dead. When you have faith, your words and actions reflect it. Take a step of faith today and declare your trust in Him. Even if you don’t see how, declare that God is working behind the scenes in your life. As you act on your mustard seed faith, you’ll see it grow stronger and stronger, and you will live in victory all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I confess my trust and reliance on You. Thank You for depositing seeds of faith in my heart so that I can live in total victory. I believe that with You, all things are possible in Jesus’ name! Amen.”