What It Takes to Keep It Real

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

What It Takes to Keep It Real By Rick Warren — Nov 1, 2015 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9 NIV) In a world that is absolutely obsessed with appearance and image, how in the world do you keep it real when everybody else is faking it? They don’t have integrity. They’re scooting by and they’re skimming and they’re cheating. They’re not keeping their promises. How do you keep it real? There’s only one way. You’ve got to care more about God’s approval than the approval of other people. That’s the only way you’ll ever become a man or woman of integrity. Because if you care about what God thinks, then you’re going to do the right thing. If you care more about what other people think, you’re often going to do the wrong thing. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word”(NIV). The only way you’re going to know what God approves of and what he thinks of you is by reading the Bible. You must stay in God’s Word! If you don’t, you will not have the strength and the stamina to live with integrity. If I don’t have a daily quiet time with God in the Word, if I miss it for even a few days, I notice it — everyone notices it! — because I start getting cranky. If I don’t stay connected to God through his Word, I would not have any spiritual power to clearly explain the Word of God to you. I would not have the strength to live with integrity Living with integrity takes spiritual power, because what is right is often unpopular. You’re going to get tired trying to do the right thing and be real and keep the right motives, and you need to be equipped and refreshed. You do that by reading and studying the Bible, God’s Word. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How will reading God’s Word give you strength? Why is it important to memorize Scripture? What are some of God’s promises from the Bible that can encourage you when you need to make the right but unpopular choice? Today’s Scripture “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24, AMP) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Pleasant Words Do you need healing in your body—physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? Your words can bring that healing. Start speaking pleasant words—words of life, encouragement and thanksgiving. Guard your heart by making sure you are only listening to pleasant, life-giving words. If there’s something on the TV or radio that isn’t bringing life to your soul, turn it off. If someone’s having a conversation that’s not uplifting or productive, don’t be a part of it. Choose to meditate on God’s Word which is living and active and full of life. Let His strength and peace rise in your soul. Keep your heart and mind focused on Him and always choose pleasant words! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your Word which is truth that sets me free. I repent today for any words that have brought destruction into my life or the lives of those around me. I ask that You uproot every negative seed and help me to always choose words of life in Jesus’ name! Amen.”