Open Door, Test 2: Integrity

An open door for 2024

Testing

One of the ways God keeps us on His Path is by testing us

the Bible shows this was a common occurence for the people of God in the Old Testament

Deuteronomy 8:2 NASB95

2 “You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Exodus 16:4 NASB95

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

Proverbs 17:3 NASB95

3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.

one of the primary tests God uses, is an Integrity Test

Integrity is doing the right thing when know one is watching

or said another way....

it means to do the right thing without requiring the opinions of others to influence you

Can God trust you to do the right thing?

God regularly tests us to see if we are able to handle what He wants to Bless us with

He tests us the small to see if we can handle the bigger

So How do we live a life of Integrity?

#1 Integrity begins being open With God

The Psalmist encourages openness with God

Psalm 26:2 NASB95

2 Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

Psalm 139:23–24 NASB95

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

one fact that can help your openness with God is realizing

1b Nothing is hidden from God

God knows everything about you right down to your thoughts

Hebrews 4:12 NASB95

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

by realizing this, it empowers us to live in a righteous life

the enemy works best in secret.

wants you to believe no one will ever know.

like you can get away with it...

But God always knows

Proverbs 15:3 NASB95

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

God sees everything.

One of the best ways to lead a life of integrity is to realize this fact.

Nothing is kept secret from God

Part of Integrity means working with proper motives

#2 Integrity means doing things with the right motivation

In this passsgae Jesus is challenging the religious leaders

Matthew 21:28–32 NASB95

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 “The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.

Our motives are purified by God

if you're able to serve God during the difficult times

this is proof that you're not just in it for what you can get out of it

this is proof that your motives are true

remember this sincerity is tested in struggle

Look at your prayers.

I would surmise many of our prayers focus on removing the struggles we face.

James 4:2–3 NASB95

2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

As I suggested a few weeks ago....instead of praying for God to remove your struggle,

seek God and discover what He’s trying to develop in you during this season.

1 cor 15:58

1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB95

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

So what should be your motivation?

This is important

God care about these things.

its right up there with what you actually do.

Matthew 5:28 NASB95

28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 6:1–4 NASB95

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

#3 Integrity involves Honesty and Truthfulness

Numerous passages within Scripture illustrate how honesty should be an important part of our lives,

reminding us that it directly affects our righteousness and Christian living.

Honesty in speech is essential due to the impact our words can have on relationships and the people around us.

When we are honest, we demonstrate that we value integrity and build trust with our peers.

On the other hand,

being dishonest or deceitful erodes that trust and has a destructive effect not only on our connections but also on the entire community.

John 16:13 NASB95

13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Proverbs 12:22 NASB95

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Ephesians 4:25 NASB95

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

#4 Integrity involves Justice and Fairness

Ash: That’s not fair!

Leviticus 19:15 NASB95

15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

Psalm 82:3 NASB95

3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

#5 Integrity involves Not falling to Temptation

James 1:13–14 NASB95

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

Jesus Battle in the desert after his baptism

Matthew 4:1–11 NASB95

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.