Integrity
NEHEMIAH WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
Does your outward character consistently reflect the true values held within your heart?
Are you daily choosing to walk by the Spirit to manifest Godly fruit?
Will your integrity remain steadfast when challenged by intense pressure or unfavorable circumstances?
| Proverbs 11:3 (NKJV) The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. |
Integrity
For a person of integrity, who they appear to be and say that they are, agrees with who they actually are. Their core, inner values are Godly and incorruptible, and their inner and visible character match.
God rejoices in such a person of integrity.
| I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. – 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NLT) |
In times of pressure, people who are projecting a façade of integrity will have challenges maintaining it. At such times, what is really inside our hearts will be revealed, highlighting any discrepancies or differences that may exist between our inner and outer selves.
| A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. – Luke 6:45 (NLT) |
True and Godly character must be based upon Godly integrity – truthfulness, purity, honesty, virtue, and the like. We are encouraged to meditate upon such things.
| Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. – Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) |
Springing out of these are honor, principles, trustworthiness, uprightness, reliability, and, of course, all the fruits of the Spirit. Paul encourages us that “against such, there is no law” (Galatians 5:23).
| But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) |
Remember this – being filled with the Spirit does not guarantee that the fruits of the Spirit will be manifested in and through your life. You must choose daily to walk according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Only then will the fruit begin to manifest.
I have met many people during almost 40 years of ministry who have outwardly appeared to be ministers of the Gospel, but within a short time, when pressure came, when circumstances did not suit their personal ambition, or when the money ran out, they were revealed to be anything but ministers of the Gospel. Many of them ended up not only betraying those around them, but in the process, they betrayed Jesus Christ. There was an integrity gap, and unfavourable circumstances revealed it. Surely, we do not want to end up like that.
My friends, always remember that it is Christlike character that releases Christlike function. And, integrity is the very heartbeat of Christlike character.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, when You examine my heart, my prayer is that You will find integrity there. Help me to meditate on what is pure and noble, so that my inner values will match my outward, visible character. May I walk daily by Your Spirit, so that Christlike integrity will become the heartbeat of my life, in Your Name and for Your glory, Amen.
This devotional is written by Pastor Steve Harris, the founder of Global Influencers, an organization that trains and equips leaders and emerging leaders to establish anointed communities that transform nations by restoring Kingdom culture from grassroots to government in the villages, cities, regions, and nations of the world. He is also the Content Development Assistant in the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community.
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