INTRODUCTION

Men used to be commended for their level of integrity and one's handshake was considered a man’s bond. As societies continue to crumble from the pollution of immorality, men of integrity are quickly disappearing. Unfortunately, churches seem far from immune to this moral decline. What is integrity? In a narrow sense, integrity as used in scripture can be difficult to pinpoint. The word integrity occurs sixteen times in scripture. By considering each occurrence, one can discover clues that provide insight as to its meaning. Integrity is contrasted with the words like perverse (Proverbs 19:1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
See All...) and perverseness (Proverbs 11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
See All...). Conversely, integrity is used in conjunction with words like upright (Job 2:3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
See All...; Proverbs 11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
See All...) and uprightness (1 Kings 9:4And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
See All...; Psalm 25:21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
See All...). In our passage, the word integrity is used alongside the word innocency (Genesis 20:5Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
See All...). These facts would lead the believer to realize that integrity speaks of a moral purity and moral correctness.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): David said,"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way" (Psalm 101:2I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
  See All...). The Lord wants what we say and do to be correct and right at all times.
• (For everyone): If integrity has to do with being morally correct, why is this so very important to us as followers of Christ? What are some instances that showed the Lord Jesus demonstrating integrity while on earth?
• Would people be more likely to describe you as perverse or innocent? How could you change the way people think of you if their view of you is not in accordance with the Bible standards?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to do a work of purification within your heart.
• Ask God to show you the sinfulness of your heart.

HYMN

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

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