Integrity Takes Guts

You're a leader--CEO of a corporation, president of a bank, principal of a school, head coach of a football team, military general, lead pastor, Bible study leader, parent of teenagers, or owner of your own business. Do you want to shock the world you live in? I mean really rock it? Then. ..

Have the guts to stand strong with integrity in a culture lacking moral fiber

Have the guts. . . . to tell the truth all the time. . . to say what you mean and mean what you say every time. . . to not cut ethical corners or take shortcuts. . .to not compromise under pressure. . . to not mess around when you're out of town. . .to keep your words when no one checks up on you. . .to keep your promises . . . to be financially accountable, personally reliable, and privately pure. . to be honest at all costs. . .to do what is right when no one else is looking or when everyone else is compromising. . . to not cheat on exams or plagiarize a paper. That kind of life radiates like a brilliant star lighting up the universe (Philippians 2:15)

INTEGRITY ROCKS!!

Three things to remember about integrity:

·         INTEGRTITY STAYS IN PLACE WHETHER TESTED BY ADVERSITY OR PROSPERITY. Of the two, prosperity is the more difficult. With adversity, life gets simple, basic … fast. The goal is SURVIVAL! With prosperity comes a variety of temptations and inducements. Remember Daniel managed his integrity at the top of the ladder as well as at the bottom of the lion's den. He went in with integrity and came out with it.

·         INTEGRITY IS CONSISTENT whether you are a husband, wife, or parent, an employee or employer, a leader or follower, a teacher or student, a pastor or a ministry leader.

·         INTEGRITY BEGINS NOW. Now is the time:

to be above reproach

to change your attitude

to be pure, honest, trust worthy

to maintain an unbending walk with the Lord.

“As a man (a leader) thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) Integrity is a matter of our hearts.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Jesus told His disciples they were to live before the world so that the light of their character would be so apparent that people would give thanks to God.