Move That Mountain : The Principles Of Faith

Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

An old man who always stopped to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store noticed one morning when he got to work, that by mistake he had taken two newspapers instead of one.

He first thought of paying the man the extra price the next morning, but then after a moment’s consideration, he said, “I had better go back with this paper. I don’t want the man at the store to think I’m dishonest.” He got in his car, drove back to the store, and returned the paper.

About a week later, someone stole money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time—and one was the old man. The grocer immediately dismissed him as a suspect, saying, “That man is really honest. He came back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake.” The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. This old man’s honesty made a big impression on that non-Christian storeowner.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “integrity” means the condition of being without blemish. We must strive to meet this standard of integrity both in our deeds and character; and we need to hold a trustworthy place in the minds of our family, friends, colleagues and church members.

Here are three ways to demonstrate integrity:

1. Avoiding deceit and flattery

Lying deflates any semblance of honesty in a person’s character. Furthermore, it is the work of the Devil. John 8:44 tells us that Satan is the “father of lies”. Since we are sons of God, we cannot follow the example of the father of lies.

2. Paying debts on time

“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth” (Psalm 37:21). The Bible warns us of the dangers of accumulating debt and not paying back. It is a habit no Christian should cultivate. We must have high moral standards, knowing that we represent God on earth.

3. Being trustworthy

“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one (Matthew 5:37, NKJV). Jesus asked His followers to keep their word, and the same applies to us.

Precious one, since we have the Holy Spirit at work within us, let us allow Him to work in us and help us to be people of integrity.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be without reproach, and to be characterized by integrity, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scriptural References:

Proverbs 19:1

Proverbs 20:7

1 Peter 3:16

Move That Mountain : The Principles Of Faith.