OCTOBER 9, 2022
SERIES: CREATING A HEALTHY CHURCH

HEALTH DEPENDS ON INTEGRITY
Proverbs 3:22 & Selected

Your “Titanic” Problem

INTEGRITY: The quality or state of being complete or undivided or incorruptible!

I. WHY INTEGRITY MATTERS

1. IT pleases God.

Proverbs 3:22 – The Lord hates people with twisted hearts, but He delights in those who have integrity.

2. IT affects others.

Proverbs 20:7 – Good people who live honest lives will be a blessing to their children.

I Peter 2:12 – People who do not believe are living all around you, so live good lives. Then they will see the good things you do, and they will give glory to God.

3. IT blesses me.

Pr. 11:5-6 – Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life. Good character is the best insurance.

Proverbs 10:9 – People with integrity have a firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fail.

II. HOW TO LIVE WITH INTEGRITY

1. I must always speak the truth.

Prov. 12:22 – The Lord hates liars but is pleased with those who keep their word.

Eph. 4:15 – Let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly.

Pr. 4:24 – Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

2. I have to stand for what is right.

II Cor. 13:8 – Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times.

James 4:17 – When a person knows the right thing to do, but doesn’t do it, then he is sinning.

3. You stay clean.

Phil. 2:15b – You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.

III. KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN OUR INTEGRITY

1. Choose the right kind of friends.

I Cor. 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character.

2. Value integrity more than image.

Pr. 28:6 – It is better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing.

3. Need to watch what we watch.

Ps. 101:2-3 – I will lead a life of integrity in my own home, I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

II Peter 1:3 – God’s diving power gives us everything we need for life and godliness. This power was given to us through knowing Jesus who called us by His own glory and integrity.