Integrity: The Courage to Do What's Right
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound and often challenging concept of integrity. Integrity is not just about being honest; it's about having the courage to do the right thing, even when it costs us. We all face moments where our integrity is tested, and it's in these moments that we discover what truly guides us. The pressure to compromise our integrity is relentless, both from external sources and from within ourselves. We often find ourselves wrestling with the tension between doing what we ought to do and what we want to do. This tension reveals the divine element of integrity, as it is anchored in something greater than our personal opinions or societal norms.
Integrity impacts not only our personal lives but also the world around us. Our personal integrity, or lack thereof, affects our relationships, our communities, and our workplaces. It is essential for relational contentment and fulfillment. Without integrity, relationships become strained, and trust is eroded. Integrity acts as the oil in the machinery of relationships, allowing them to function smoothly and withstand the inevitable friction that comes with proximity.
The challenge we face is that while there are countless resources available to improve various aspects of our lives, there is a scarcity of guidance on how to cultivate and maintain integrity. Yet, integrity is crucial for long-term happiness and satisfaction. It is the foundation upon which healthy relationships and communities are built.
As we navigate the complexities of life, we must ask ourselves what truly guides us. Is it integrity, or is it something else? We don't truly know if integrity guides us until we face a situation where maintaining it costs us something significant. It's in these moments that we learn about our true character and what we value most.
Key Takeaways:
- Integrity is the courage to do the right thing, even when it costs us. It is not just about honesty but about aligning our actions with our values, regardless of the consequences. This alignment is what truly guides us and shapes our character. [04:10]
- Our personal integrity impacts the world around us. It affects our relationships, communities, and workplaces. Integrity is essential for relational contentment and fulfillment, acting as the oil in the machinery of relationships. [09:34]
- The pressure to compromise our integrity is relentless, both externally and internally. We must be vigilant in recognizing these pressures and choose to uphold our integrity, even when it is difficult. [15:23]
- Integrity is a muscle that strengthens with use. The more we exercise it, the stronger it becomes. We should start now, choosing to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, even when it costs us. [33:22]
- We must ask ourselves what truly guides us. Is it integrity, or is it something else? We don't know until we face a situation where maintaining our integrity costs us. These moments reveal our true character and values. [18:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:06] - The Question of Integrity
[01:42] - Compromising Integrity
[03:14] - Owning Up to Mistakes
[03:58] - Your Integrity, Our World
[04:10] - Definition of Integrity
[05:09] - The Universal Expectation
[06:14] - The Divine Element
[07:03] - Anchoring Integrity
[08:17] - Acknowledging God's Rule
[09:34] - Integrity and Relationships
[11:10] - Proximity and Friction
[12:25] - Integrity in Singleness
[13:34] - The Challenge of Integrity
[16:23] - The North Star of Integrity
[17:44] - What Guides You?
[20:41] - The Posture of Integrity
[23:25] - Clues to What Guides Us
[26:16] - Owning Up and Cleaning Up
[29:16] - The Crookedness of the Treacherous
[30:31] - The Impact of Integrity
[34:06] - Start Now, Exercise Integrity
[35:10] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Integrity
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 11:3 - "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 11:3 suggest about the role of integrity in guiding a person's decisions?
2. How does the sermon describe the universal expectation of integrity in relationships? [04:54]
3. According to the sermon, what are some pressures that challenge our integrity? [15:23]
4. What analogy does the sermon use to describe the role of integrity in relationships? [10:32]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Proverbs 11:3 be applied to understanding the consequences of lacking integrity in one's life?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that integrity impacts not just personal life but also the broader community? [03:58]
3. How does the sermon explain the divine element of integrity, and what implications does this have for believers? [06:14]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between integrity and long-term relational contentment? [09:34]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your integrity was tested. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? [18:31]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel pressure to compromise your integrity. What steps can you take to uphold your integrity in that area? [15:23]
3. Consider a relationship in your life that may be strained due to a lack of integrity. What actions can you take to restore trust and integrity in that relationship? [09:48]
4. How can you begin to exercise your "integrity muscle" in small, everyday decisions to prepare for more significant challenges? [33:22]
5. Think about what truly guides your decisions. Is it integrity, or something else? How can you align your actions more closely with your values? [17:44]
6. What practical steps can you take to ensure that integrity becomes your "north star" in decision-making? [16:23]
7. How can you encourage and support others in your community to prioritize integrity in their lives? [03:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Integrity as Courageous Alignment
Integrity is the courage to do the right thing, even when it costs us. It is not just about honesty but about aligning our actions with our values, regardless of the consequences. This alignment is what truly guides us and shapes our character. In moments of decision, when the pressure to compromise is intense, integrity demands that we choose the path that reflects our deepest values. This choice often requires courage, as it may lead to personal sacrifice or challenge societal norms. Yet, it is in these moments that our true character is revealed, and we find strength in knowing that our actions are anchored in something greater than ourselves. [04:10]
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt pressured to compromise your values. How did you respond, and what would it look like to choose integrity in a similar situation today?
Day 2: Integrity's Ripple Effect
Our personal integrity impacts the world around us. It affects our relationships, communities, and workplaces. Integrity is essential for relational contentment and fulfillment, acting as the oil in the machinery of relationships. When we live with integrity, we build trust and create environments where others feel safe and valued. This trust is foundational for healthy relationships and communities. Conversely, a lack of integrity can lead to strained relationships and eroded trust, making it difficult for any relationship to thrive. By choosing integrity, we contribute to a culture of honesty and respect that benefits everyone around us. [09:34]
"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." (Proverbs 28:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life that could benefit from greater integrity. What specific actions can you take to build trust and strengthen this relationship today?
Day 3: Resisting the Pressure to Compromise
The pressure to compromise our integrity is relentless, both externally and internally. We must be vigilant in recognizing these pressures and choose to uphold our integrity, even when it is difficult. This requires a conscious effort to identify the sources of pressure and to remain steadfast in our commitment to our values. By doing so, we not only protect our own integrity but also set an example for others. It is through these challenges that we develop resilience and a deeper understanding of what truly guides us. [15:23]
"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure." (Proverbs 4:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the pressure to compromise your integrity. What steps can you take to resist this pressure and remain true to your values?
Day 4: Strengthening the Muscle of Integrity
Integrity is a muscle that strengthens with use. The more we exercise it, the stronger it becomes. We should start now, choosing to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, even when it costs us. Each decision to act with integrity builds our character and prepares us for future challenges. By consistently choosing integrity, we develop a habit that becomes a natural part of who we are. This ongoing practice not only benefits us personally but also inspires those around us to do the same. [33:22]
"Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall." (Proverbs 28:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you chose integrity over convenience. How did this choice impact you, and how can you continue to strengthen your integrity in daily life?
Day 5: Discovering What Truly Guides Us
We must ask ourselves what truly guides us. Is it integrity, or is it something else? We don't know until we face a situation where maintaining our integrity costs us. These moments reveal our true character and values. By examining our responses to these situations, we gain insight into what truly drives us and where we may need to realign our priorities. This self-reflection is crucial for personal growth and for ensuring that our actions are consistent with our deepest beliefs. [18:31]
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." (Proverbs 11:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when maintaining your integrity cost you something significant. What did this experience teach you about your values, and how can you ensure that integrity continues to guide your decisions?
Quotes
Integrity is the will or the courage to do the right noble thing, just because it's the right noble thing to do, regardless of the consequences. In fact, especially if there are consequences, especially if there was a less noble thing to do that would keep us out of trouble, but we decided, you know what? I'm just gonna do the right thing. [00:04:11]
Integrity is essential to relational contentment and fulfillment. Have you ever tried to have a relationship with somebody who lacks integrity? Can you even have a relationship? I mean, some of you unfortunately are in relationships you can't get out of right now and they just lack integrity. They don't always tell the truth that they cover, they blame, they shame. [00:09:34]
When you do what you ought to do, and it costs you, you may not acknowledge this, this season of your life, but you're actually acknowledging God's rule over you. When you do what's best for someone else and it costs you that's being like your father in heaven, you are intentionally or unintentionally acknowledging God's rule, His over you. [00:08:29]
We don't know if integrity guides us until maintaining our integrity costs us. We don't know if integrity actually guides us or it's just kind of a good idea. Like well of course it does. We don't really know until maintaining our integrity Costs us. [00:18:34]
Integrity is a muscle. And the longer you exercise it, the stronger it gets. You should start now because the folks who exercise their integrity muscle, they're the ones who don't just say I do. They're generally the ones who are ready to can do because they've been walking upright. [00:33:23]
The integrity of the upright guide them. The integrity of the upright guide them. In other words, integrity, for people with integrity, integrity becomes the guide. It becomes the north star, it becomes the decision making filter. It highlights the best option and the options that are off base. It informs their decisions. [00:17:44]
The health of your relationships, the health of your relationships, and to dive into family and even the respect of your children is contingent upon your integrity, not your infallibility. The respect of the people you want, the respect of your kids, your husband, your wife, most people closely, their respect, hinges, not on your infallibility. [00:27:16]
The moment we find ourselves wrestling internally with an ought to, we actually acknowledge the divine. The moment we attempt to justify a behavior in our minds, the moment we find ourselves with, we're essentially acknowledging that there is an ought to, that stands over you, that stands over us, that somehow we're accountable to, and we can't shake it. [00:08:17]
The pressure to compromise our integrity is relentless, both externally and internally. We must be vigilant in recognizing these pressures and choose to uphold our integrity, even when it is difficult. [00:15:23]
The integrity of the upright will guide them. But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. The integrity of the upright will guide them. But the crookedness right here right now, what's right in front of me, will totally destroy them. And as we know, perhaps destroy the people around them as well. [00:30:31]
The challenge we face is that while there are countless resources available to improve various aspects of our lives, there is a scarcity of guidance on how to cultivate and maintain integrity. Yet, integrity is crucial for long-term happiness and satisfaction. It is the foundation upon which healthy relationships and communities are built. [00:33:22]
The moment that we attempt to justify a behavior in our minds, the moment we've worked before this day is out, we're gonna do this, right? The moment you find yourself wrestling with I shouldn't, but I will anyway. You know, I really shouldn't, but I think I will anyway, I should, but I'm not going to, I should tell her, I'm not gonna tell her. [00:08:17]
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