Your Daily Devotional for August 23, 2007

 

August 23,  2007

 

 

Keeping Integrity in Our Lives

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost."

 

2 Corinthians 4:1-3

 

 

As professional golfer Ray Floyd was getting ready to tap in a routine nine-inch putt, he saw the ball move ever so slightly. According to the rule book, if the ball moves in this way the golfer must take a penalty stroke. Yet, consider the situation. Floyd was among the leaders in a tournament offering a top prize of $108,000. To acknowledge that the ball had moved could mean he would lose his chance for big money. Instead of continuing on without telling anyone, Ray Floyd assessed himself a penalty stroke and wound up with a bogey on the hole.

 

While some may look at integrity and scoff, God places a high value on integrity. Over the past few days, we have learned that God desires for us to keep integrity at work and at home. Today we see that God wants us to have integrity in our personal lives as well.

 

We should have integrity in our personal testimony. We should be known as someone who can be counted on. When someone says your name, what do others think? Do they think of you as a hard worker who is trustworthy? Our actions will many times determine our testimonies.

 

God desires that we keep a good name. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." He desires that we choose a good name rather than the wealth of this world. We must keep integrity in our personal lives by keeping a good testimony.

 

Not only should we have integrity in our personal testimony, but we must also have integrity in our witness. Philippians 1:27 says, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." We must live for God so that others will see God through our lives. If we live for the world, we will not be able to be effective witnesses for God. Our message must match our lives.

 

Having integrity in our personal lives means that we must do right even when no one is looking. Someone once said, "Integrity is keeping my commitment even when the circumstances surrounding my commitment have changed." Even when no one is around or when others are not doing right, we must live for God and keep integrity in our personal lives.

 

How is your testimony? Are you known as a trustworthy person? Also, how is your witness? Is your life reflecting the message you are telling others? Others will many times not receive our witness if we are not reflecting Him in our lives! Ask God to help you keep integrity in your life today by having a good testimony and by living for Him so that your witness will be even more effective.

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 16-17 • Acts 20:1-16

 

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