THE BELT OF TRUTH: INTEGRITY

The Belt of Truth: Integrity
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. (Psalm 25:21- of David)

I. What is INTEGRITY?
a. Integrity is being who you say you are.
b. Biblical integrity is being the person that Christ has called us to be.
c. The Belt of Truth- Integrity- is the cornerstone piece in our armor that protects us against the barrage of attacks from Satan because:
i. We know who we serve
ii. We know who He says we are
iii. We know that his grace is sufficient
d. Without integrity, none of the other pieces of spiritual armor fits.
i. Integrity requires uprightness in order to be an effective protection.
e. Integrity does not mean that we are perfect, but it does mean that we are always striving to be better- “Because my hope is in you”.
i. Romans 3:28- For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
ii. Romans 6- 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
II. Compromise’s destructive power- 2 Samuel 11
a. The weapon that the enemy uses against our integrity is compromise.
b. Compromise is a settlement- Hunter and the Bear Story
c. Compromises start out small- Crack in the foundation.
i. 1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
d. Compromise dwells in the secret corners of our lives.
e. Compromises grow!
f. The effects of compromise- 2 Samuel 12:7-12
i. Hurts our relationship with God, others, and ourselves- affects our ability to receive blessings.
ii. May have long term consequences- God forgives sin, but does not always cancel the consequences of our actions.
III. How to maintain our integrity in the face of compromise?
a. Admit you can’t do it on your own.
i. Only by Grace!
1. 1 Peter 5- 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
ii. Develop mentoring and accountable relationships- Proverbs 27- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
b. Be Alert- 1 Peter 5:8- 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
c. Don’t let the Devil get a foothold- RUN!
i. James 4:7- Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
d. Clean out your closet- CONFESS.
i. 2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (Luke 12)
ii. Psalm 139- 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
e. Keep focused on Jesus!
i. Hebrews 12- 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
ii. 1 Peter 5- 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.