Genesis 20:5-6
“Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.”
INSIGHT
-Integrity in Hebrew is written as tom which means blameless, upright, truthful, genuine & honest.
-Abraham & Sarah journeyed to Gerar where Abimelech was the king. Sarah at the age of ninety years was still beautiful & Abimelech probably thought by taking Abraham’s sister as a wife, they would establish an alliance of stronger ties. Abimelech’s integrity saved him when God told him that he is a dead man in a dream (Gen 20:3). God prevented Abimelech from sinning against Him & better still; protected Abraham at a time when he thought he would be killed on account of having Sarah as his wife, not knowing that Abimelech was a man of integrity. Abraham’s fears were confronted when Abimelech took Sarah & he judged the citizens of Gerar as people who didn’t fear God which resulted to barrenness among them. God cautions us against judging others which relieves us from judgement (Lk 6:37). God also tells us not to worry about anything but to trust in Him for our salvation depends on His grace.
PRAYER
Lord our Father we thank You for Your everlasting love upon us. We are sincerely sorry Lord for the many times we have lied, judged & condemned others, harboured un-forgiveness in our hearts & committed many other sins which have dishonoured You, forgive us merciful Father. Withhold us from sinning against You Lord just like You did with Abimelech & fill our hearts with integrity & righteousness Father. You are our refuge & strength Jesus protect us from all evil & grant us the grace to serve You better in our various capacities. Amen
1 Kings 9:4-5
“Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
INSIGHT
-God made a promise to Solomon to walk in His fear & withdraw from the common manner of men like his father David. To do according to all that God commanded & keep His statutes & judgments; observe all moral, ceremonial & judicial laws. Just like David walked in integrity & Solomon was blessed, we are called to walk in integrity & in the process our children are blessed after us (Prov 20:7). Solomon no doubt, built a magnificent temple for the Lord which was a reflection of how our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit should be maintained, with uprightness, holiness & integrity.
PRAYER
We love You Lord with all our hearts, minds & strength. Strengthen us Father by Your grace to dwell in Your fear & statutes, & purify us by Your precious blood to remain in righteousness. Guide us as we walk in Your counsel for You Jehovah have promised to establish us like trees planted by the rivers of water that bring forth fruit in its season & leaves will never wither; so that whatever we do prospers. Guide us, our children, families, friends & leaders in integrity Lord for the glory of Your name. Amen
Proverbs 10:9
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.”
INSIGHT
-God gave the entire human race freedom of choice which has the ability to make or break someone as evidenced in our country & many others today. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:26 that there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Lack of good character or irresponsible conduct in uncontrolled appetites is most often likely to end-up in mayhem. Low integrity can be sighted in various situations like poor behavioural orientation in lustful indulgences, love of money which could be idolised, corruption at work & in leadership positions, & other atrocities which defile the rule of law of the land & that which is stipulated in Gods’ word. Our spiritual well-being is thus of prime important since it brings about a sense of safety & peace in our hearts through God Who dwells in us.
PRAYER
You are our Shepherd Lord there is nothing we shall want. You makes us lie down in green pastures & lead us beside still waters, You restore our souls. You lead us Lord in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake, we thank You. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil; for You are always with us Father. In Your mercy Lord create in us hearts of contentment as You continue to bless our families, marriages, work of our hands, & leaders that pride, greed & corruption may not be named among us. Grant us Father good health, peace of mind, love for You & others, & fill our hearts with joy as we encounter You in our daily lives. Amen
Titus 2:6-8
“Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
INSIGHT
-A letter of Paul to Titus gives instructions to young men on their ideal way of conduct exemplified by Titus himself. Sensibility by upholding the love of God has been emphasized across all genders & age groups including; young & older men, & young & older women as evidenced in the earlier scriptures. Further, young men have been instructed to maintain good character filled with integrity, to remain sober, display respect & be self controlled, be accountable for their actions, hold on to sound doctrine of truth, perform works of faith according to Gods’ word & utter words that edify one another so that an opponent may not find anything against them. Theory & practice in ones conduct has also been emphasised; that we ought to hear & do according to Gods’ word; for our own benefit & that of others.
PRAYER
Abba Father You are our Helper & Redeemer, fill us with love & self-control so that we may willingly act according to Your Christ-like nature. We seek Your guidance always in our plans, activities, petitions, heart desires & wisdom when we read Your word. Work in each one of us Lord through our diverse genders, age groups & positions so that we may exhibit a godliness that is not self seeking & draws others to You Jesus. Guide our leaders & all the agencies involved in the fight against corruption Father; so that our country may be a better place for us & many other generations to come. All glory & honour belongs to You Jesus now & forever. Amen
Mark 12:14
“They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
INSIGHT
-Herodians who only pledged allegiance to their flag & no allegiance at all to God gathered around Jesus with the Pharisees; trying to expose & capture Him with the question on paying taxes. They first acknowledged that Jesus was a man of integrity & teaches the way of God in truth. Jesus then looked at a denarius & asks whose image & inscription were on it & said to them “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar & to God what belongs to God”. One may ask why we still need to pay taxes to the government which sometimes increases tax rates & probably it’s citizens don’t realise actual value of tax paid. Jesus as the image of God came to restore us out of every tribe, tongue, people & nation, & affirm our citizenship in heaven. We therefore have an obligation to both the governing authority & to God Whom all authority belongs.
SUMMARY
Integrity is a quality of upholding honesty & strong moral principles instituted through Gods’ word. God has always advocated for integrity & purity of thoughts & heart; as seen throughout scripture & epitomized through Christs death & resurrection. God always instructed the Israelites & leaders like Solomon to maintain integrity of heart by keeping His commandments & calls us to do the same as a sign of love (Jn 14:21). Through the death & resurrection of Christ we receive His grace which helps us to remain in His will & dwell in integrity. Christ also helps us to remain incorruptible from the love of money/ denarius & other forms of slavery, & purifies our hearts with His blood that we may always see Him in all things & bear much fruit.
PRAYER
We submit our lives to You Lord our Father, purify our thoughts & hearts by Your precious blood. Direct us Lord so that we may always give what belongs to You & to pay taxes accordingly. You are the Way the Truth & the life Father; journey with us, our children, parents, relatives, friends & leaders, in Your truth & help us to always live with Integrity of heart. We cannot do anything without You Father, guide us in all things so that we may bear much fruit according to Your promises. All glory, honour, riches, power, authority, blessings & praise belongs to You Lord. Amen