I Can’t Be Fake and Have Integrity

In review of 2 Corinthians 4:2 this morning I read, “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God” (The Message).

Paul condemned those who twist God's Word. Preachers, teachers, and anyone else who talks about Jesus must remember that they stand in God's presence, he hears every word. Often there are those who twist Scripture in their attempt to motivate audiences. Others take Scripture out of context to promote their own views. When I tell others about Christ, I need to be careful not to distort the message to either please my audience or promote my agenda. Rather I need to proclaim the truth of God's Word.

Living with integrity means I don’t pretend. I’m real with myself and others. I’m an open book. I’m authentic, what people see is what they get. I refuse to play a role: “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2 The Message).

I care more about God’s approval than the approval of others. This the only way I’ll ever become a person of integrity. Sometimes God’s way is unpopular or difficult. If I care about what God thinks, I’ll do what’s right. If I care about what others think, I’ll often do what’s wrong.

One of the ways I can live authentically is to read his Word regularly. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word” (NCV).

I won’t be able to obey God’s Word if I don’t know it. If I don’t spend time reading, studying and memorizing the Word, I won’t have the strength and stamina to be real and honest with those around you.

God created me to be me. Trust him, and be authentic.

In summary, to avoid being fake and to live with integrity, I need to refuse to wear a mask or play games. I don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. I don't try to twist God's Word to suit myself. Rather I keep everything I do out in the open, the whole trust on display. I let others to see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. I'm careful not to distort the message to please or promote my own agenda. I don't pretend, I'm open and I'm authentic. What people see is what they get. I care more about the approval of God than I do the approval of others. When I do, I'll do what's right. If I only care about what others think, then I'll often only do what is wrong. To obey God's Word, I need to know what it says. I need to continue to get into it daily. It provides me with the strength and stamina to be real and honest with those around me. God created me to be me. So I need to trust him and be authentic.

I pray this morning Father that you help me understand and live out your Word. Help me to be authentic in what I do and to always reflect well for you and your mission. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. This I pray through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God Is The Nourishment I Need

In review of Matthew 5:6 it says, "God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be filled.

In this section I'm introduced to one of Jesus' teachings to his disciples on eight spiritual blessings. Each one is a proverb-like proclamation, without narrative, "cryptic, precise, and full of meaning. Each one includes a topic that forms a major biblical theme".

Bottom Line:

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for what is right.

What this means to me:

God wants me to be concerned for what it right or just. In fact as his follower, I am to hunger and thirst for it. The only way to truly find out what God thinks is right and just is to spend time with him in His Word daily. The blessings he promises for pursuing this is that as I seek and dig in, I'll find it and be filled.

However, in reality it is easy to give in to the temptation to spend too much time on things that will distract me from time with God. After all my day is often filled with responsibilities, which may serve a good purpose, however overextending or spreading myself too thin may result in having no room for God to pour His love and truth into me.

Without taking time daily to meditate or reflect on the Word, I’ll find myself losing spiritual momentum.

So I need to make it a priority to take time to digest God’s word, as if it were food, and so refresh my mind daily with His presence and His love for me.

This morning I pray that You make me an empty container for Your presence. Fill me up with Your love and refresh my mind with your truth. I long to be transformed in my mind and spirit so that I can accomplish the purposes for which you created me.

After all, he has saved me, not because of the righteous things I had done, but because of his mercy. He has washed away my sin, and given me a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. (Paraphrased from Titus 3:5 NLT.)