Proverbs 19:1

1. Intro.
1. there is one word in this verse that should catch our attention if we want to please the Lord [integrity]
2. integrity is something that should characterize every child of God
1. when we speak of character, we are speaking of what someone is in the heart
2. when we speak of reputation, we are speaking of what others think of us
3. people may affect our reputation by what they say or how they respond when our name is mentioned
4. people may have some affect on our reputation, but each of us determines our character
3. our character, what we are, should be characterized by integrity
4. no amount of ability or personality can serve as a substitute for integrity
2. the word "integrity" is a powerful word
1. it means moral soundness, honesty, nothing to hide or fear, perfection
1. it is the work of God to perfect us
2. it is the work of the devil to tear thing apart, and corrupt
3. a person with integrity is morally sound, and has nothing to hide
4. so many of us are not yet perfected, and what we lack is integrity
5. no one can take integrity from us; but if we lose integrity, it is because we gave it up on our own
2. we need a revival of integrity in America
1. it should begin in the church among God’s people
2. our crisis is not just a crisis of conduct, it is a crisis of character
3. the cause of Christ suffers reproach because of a lack of character
1. many people are laughing at leaders that should be looked up to
2. we have traded holy living for the pursuit of happiness
3. many Christians are sadly lacking in integrity
4. Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
1. the chemical makeup of salt is not lost, but the power is lost when it becomes mixed with other ingredients
2. as salt of the earth, we are to be the preserving influence of righteousness and holy living (integrity)
5. the testimony of God concerning Job is that he was a man of integrity - Job 2:1-3
1. integrity is a choice
2. honesty is not the best choice for a man of integrity, it is the only choice
3. integrity is not just for the minister; it is for every child of God
4. with all the scandals in the media about Christians, its no wonder the cause of Christ suffers reproach
5. we need a revival of integrity
6. if we have integrity, we will always know what is right to do - Proverbs11:3
1. those who practice situation ethics live in a state of turmoil (they never know what is right)
2. this crowd is going to end in destruction
3. God says it is better to have integrity than to lie your way through life
4. being a person of integrity is its own reward
1. we can sleep better at night
2. our conscience will not constantly bother us
3. integrity will guide us
7. in the midst of suffering, Job stated that he would be a man of integrity as long as he lived - Job 27:1-5
8. Job knew that God saw everything he did, we cannot fool God - Job 31:4
3. how do we get integrity?
1. integrity comes from knowing God - Job 2:3 [my servant]
1. integrity does not come from knowing about God, but from knowing Him
2. we can fake it, but there is no substitute for knowing Him
3. knowing the Lord in Savior
1. know that we are saved
2. know with peace and assurance that our heart and life belong Jesus Christ
4. knowing God in daily communion with Him
5. When God said that Job was His servant; He meant that Job knew Him, and was living for Him
2. integrity comes from fearing God - Job 2:3 [one that feareth God]
1. why should a person do right? - because he fears God
1. not because he is afraid of catching AIDS
2. not because he is afraid of getting caught in a lie
3. not because his parents might catch him
2. many people try to weaken the idea of fearing God
1. many speak of fear as being reverential respect
2. that we should respect Him as we do one of our elders
3. how ridiculous, we are talking about the God of heaven and earth
1. He created all things
2. He made us from the dust
3. we are talking about our Creator, not some weak thing that is unable to cope with the problems of our world
4. our God sits on the throne of the universe, and has everything under His control
5. integrity comes from fearing God, do you fear Him
1. we are all personally accountable to God
2. when our life on this earth is over, we will stand before Him in judgment
1. not our parents
2. not our pastors, teachers, or deacons
3. we can be thankful for leaders that help us, but never forget that we are personally accountable to God
3. integrity comes from living for God - Job 2:3 [escheweth evil]
1. "escheweth" means to turn aside, to remove one’s foot from the path of evil
2. everyday we must make decisions
1. biblical separation is separation from the world and separation unto the Lord
2. holy living is living not to be seen of men but because it is right
3. the first step on a path in the wrong direction may look inviting, but think of where it leads
3. Job was a man of integrity, even in the harsh circumstance of life, because he
1. knew God
2. feared God
3. lived for God
4. therefore he had integrity (moral soundness)
4. Conclusion
1. integrity cannot be taken from us, it must be voluntarily surrendered
2. in this day of integrity crisis, remember that character does count
3. as a nation we are laughing our way to hell in a parade of people without integrity