Addressing Integrity

Addressing Integrity

Exodus 23: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ² You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. ³ You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

 

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

 

⁶ “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. ⁷ Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. ⁸ And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

 

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE had many things to say about using clear judgment or integrity in matters.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted impartial judgment.
• GOD wanted fair treatment, even towards enemies.
• GOD wanted a mindset that treats strangers well.

 

Rumors are unverified stories, gossip, or pieces of information that pass quickly from person to person without proof of whether they are true or false. Moses had a difficult job assigned to him. He had to lead the people into the promised land, and he had to judge disputes along the way.

 

While this set of scripture can be applied universally to you and me, I believe there was a personal meaning for Moses. He had to face poor people who would lie and wealthy people who were getting lied on. He would also face rich people trying to bribe him.

 

GOD was universally addressing integrity. HE wanted to introduce resilience to rumors, lies, bribes and ill feelings towards enemies. GOD’s expectation of HIS people was to be above lies, bribes and hatred. HE still wants this for you and me. HE wants us to have compassion for strangers as we were once strangers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS view on justice and integrity?
• Do your lips easily spread gossip, rumors or unverified information to feel superior?
• Have you asked yourself, “Am I trying to be superior with unverified information or should I use integrity to please GOD?”

Respectful Character

Respectful Character

1 Peter 2: ¹³ For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority: to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority, ¹⁴ and to the governors, who have been appointed by him to punish the evildoers and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by the good things you do. ¹⁶ Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God's slaves. ¹⁷ Respect everyone, love other believers, honor God, and respect the Emperor.

 

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“Rolling my eyes at what was said, I listened to the speech, but did not believe a word. I clapped at the end of the leader’s speech, but huddled with others to tear down what was said. “What an idiot” we said as we scoffed at the leadership of the day.

 

• It was easy for me to see the flaws in leadership.
• It was easy for me to complain about the style of leadership.
• It was easy for me to continue in my own sins because the spotlight was on someone else.

 

Peter suggests something radical. He knew government officials of the time may or may not believe in JESUS as their Savior, however he warns believers to “respect” those in authority. He knew that world systems would clash with belief in JESUS so he gave a remedy. Live with character and respect.

 

My Observations:

• Living with flawed people can be difficult, BUT GOD wants me to look at my own flaws when looking at other’s.
• Following terrible leaders can be hard, BUT GOD wants me to respect their authority and live for HIM in spite of their seemingly poor decisions.
• GOD wants me to not think more highly of myself and HE wants me to constantly think of ways to be an example by loving other people.

 

Having purpose for GOD means loving and respecting others in public and in secret. I mean, it’s one thing to pretend to love people, yet turn around and say mean and harmful things about him or her. GOD wants me to have character and say respectful things about people whether I agree with them or not.

 

HE sees my heart and if I have disrespect in it, HE is willing to remove it if I ask. HE will then fill that area with love for others that is missing from the way I think. This heals my relationships so I can become a magnet for JESUS intentionally. I am grateful that GOD places people in authority and wants me to respect people to show them the way back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer urge believers to have respect?
• Have you ever examined your words to see if they contain any disrespect?
• Will you examine your relationship with GOD and ask HIM to repair any character holes so you can be used by HIM to love those who are more difficult to love today?

Levels of Respect

Levels of Respect

James 2: My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. ² Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. ³ If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.

 

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Upset that I ran into so many homeless people, I decided to do something about it. Instead of giving money, I offered to buy a meal. I proceeded to “tell” the person the Gospel, thinking I had done my job for the day.

 

• I assumed the person was going to use money for drugs and alcohol.
• I assumed the person needed to hear a message about CHRIST, when in reality this being could have been an angel that I was not aware of.
• I assumed “I” had a solution when I may have been contributing to the problem, namely lack of respect.

 

James attempts to address favoritism based on the appearance of wealth. He may have experienced the lack of favoritism based on his appearance. He knew that looking at the outward appearance of people could cause people to make assumptions that are untrue.

 

My Observations:

• GOD looks at the heart of humans and determines who is truly “good.”
• GOD sees how I treat people and knows if I treat others differently based on outward appearance.
• GOD loves when I treat everyone with respect and honor.

 

Treating one set of people different than the next leads to battles. I mean, when I treat people differently because of his or her appearance, I make wrong assumptions about who they are and even worse, I ignore what GOD sees.

 

GOD loves people I may not like. HE sees the inside and has a strong desire for all to be saved. HE loves the poor and does not like when rich people are treated better than them. HE provides opportunities for me to treat the poor the same as I treat the rich, with HIS utmost respect. I am glad GOD is not prejudice and loves me without wavering.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use rich and poor as the example?
• Have you ever treated someone better based than others because of his or her title, appearance or financial status?
• Will you treat everyone with the same utmost respect that GOD wants you to so many can hear HIS message of love today? 

Untitled

Untitled

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. ¹³ Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.

 

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Sitting in a conference room freshly out of college, a person walked in and everyone stood up. I did not know what was going on, so I stood up too. They shook hands and when he left said “Don’t you know who that was?” I didn’t.

 

Months later, I was “in charge” of an assignment. I walked into the room and no one paid me any attention. I started doing the work and got a grievance filed against me for doing the work.

 

• I was furious that I was not recognized for my title.
• I wanted the same level of respect as that other guy who had a title.
• I later made the mistake of treating people with titles different than people without titles

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy begged people to treat those called by GOD, to speak on HIS behalf, with respect. These people were often looked down on and murmured against. They implored the people to not only recognize them as servants of the Most High GOD, but to treat them with the highest respect as a way to get them to think opposite of disrespect.

 

My Observations

• GOD is the only being who deserves the utmost respect from me.
• GOD wants me to treat all HIS children with the highest respect.
• Titles should not blind me into providing respect, rather I should give it to those who are looked down on, forgotten and lack power.

 

Seeking titles to gain respect may not be the best path. I mean, when I wanted a title so I could “help others” I found myself having to change for the worst because of that title and I could not “help” people the way I envisioned. GOD, on the other hand, wants servants who do not want HIS title.

 

Servants of GOD point their lives to HIM and want HIM to be know and exalted. In the process of speaking about HIM, their lives diminish. Other believers in JESUS must recognize the important message being told by those GOD has chosen as HIS speakers. I gladly give the highest respect to those who place GOD above all and are servants at heart.

 

Challenge

• Are the writers speaking of a hierarchy type of respect or honorable?
• Have you ever seen a servant who treated everyone with respect, regardless of his or her title?
• Will you treat everyone with respect, especially those who do not have titles, so they can be recognized by using their GOD given gifts for the LORD today?

The Them Effect

John 4: ⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

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“Watch out for those people” I was warned mistrustfully. I could hear the years of hurt mixed in with bitterness from this seemingly innocent person. Unfortunately, hate was the motive of the statement. Another unfortunate thing was they were justified in their thinking because a lot of mistreatment did occur.

• I have to decide whether or not to lump people into the “them” category every day.
• I have to decide if my hurt and pain is causing others to hurt and feel pain.
• I have to decide if my broad statements about people are blinding me to someone who may need my help.

JESUS did a few socially abnormal things in this passage. HE spoke to a woman in a subordinate tone by asking her for a drink. A woman? No demands? Yes, JESUS asked politely. Next, JESUS spoke to a Samaritan. A Jew speaking to a Samaritan? Unheard of. BUT JESUS saw something different.

• JESUS wants me to see all of HIS humans as valuable.
• JESUS wants me to stop propagating anger and hurt so others can be saved.
• JESUS wants me to get rid of my biases towards other people so I can be available to be sent to whoever HE chooses.

No respect of person is an old way of saying no prejudices towards or against a certain group of people. GOD wants to take my small-mindedness and stretch it into love for the world. This is hard. I mean, aren’t they supposed to act like I act and do what I do? No. GOD has an individual plan for HIS people.

HE wants me to reach people where they are and point their lives to HIM. HE will change them from the inside and I do not have to see the change, because I am too busy noticing how much he is changing me. I am grateful to be part of GOD’s vast family.

• Are you fearful of “them?”
• Do you secretly or overtly speak against “those people?”
• Will you drop your prejudices so you can be used to reach many people for GOD today?

Unity Ingredients

Luke 10: ¹⁶ Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. ¹⁷ But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.¹⁸ If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹ When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. ²² But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. ²³ He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

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“I don’t like that music” I said to myself so I avoided gatherings that played certain types of music and gravitated to what “I” liked. “I don’t like that food” I said again to myself so I would travel to places to get something “I” like to eat. I wasn’t avoiding people. I mean “I” just like what I like.

• There have been times when I sought “my” space.
• There have been times when I wanted what “I” wanted.
• There have been times when I sought crowds that liked what “I” liked.

The crowd saw JESUS cast out demons and healing mute people but they still called HIM “the devil.” JESUS explains that it does not make sense to heal someone if HE were trying to ruin the person. The premise of the kingdom would fall. HE then explains that HIS kingdom requires unity.

• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom by seeking unity.
• GOD wants me to be “with” people instead of criticizing the differences.
• GOD wants me to bring people to HIM which may require me to like more things than I am used to.

Unity is hard when I am selfish. I lose my patience and ask “What about me?” I mean why don’t “they” want to unite with “me?” BUT GOD sees through that and builds me up to mess up and try again. Unity requires patience for which I sometimes have little. It requires variety, encouragement and plans to prosper those who do not look or act like me.

Giving myself away for others is a sacrifice GOD helps me with daily. In my mind “they” may be selfish or even rotten. BUT GOD sees them as wonderful. GOD wants me to be “with” the selfish and rotten to show HIS grace to a variety of people who do not deserve it. Maybe in the rotten selfish crowd, there may be someone who can even reach a rotten selfish person like me.

• Are you divisive?
• Do you spread unity or poison to “your” crowd?
• Are you so focused on “winning” that you side with people quickly?
• Will you stop trying to “win” and seek the unity that GOD wants you to have today?

Ignorant

Luke 9: ⁴⁶ Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. ⁴⁷ And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

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While talking to a “helper”, in the middle of my sentence one of the higher-ups walked into the room. Without finishing my sentence, I immediately turned around to greet the “noble” person and walked away from the “help.”

• There were times when I treated people differently.
• There were times when I viewed those with a title as being greater than those who did not have one.
• There were times when I placed a higher value on the “wisdom” of those in higher positions than those without positions.

After a dispute over who would be “greatest” JESUS looked into their heart at the root of their desires. HE may have seen arrogance and the ability to ignore the words people they did not value. JESUS may have known their ability to devalue the words of children so HIS illustration was clear.

• GOD wants me to value “everyone” because HE does.
• GOD wants me to seek to server everyone, not just the rich and powerful.
• GOD wants me to stop looking to be the greatest and allow HIM to have that classification.

Whenever I think I am greater than someone else, things go horribly wrong. My arrogance is increased followed by ignorant words that blow off those I thought were beneath me. JESUS wants me to be a servant and receive everyone HE sends to me or sends me to. GOD is the only one who is great.

• Do you chase those who have titles?
• Do you think someone is greater than another person?
• Will you seek to serve those who you feel do not deserve your servanthood?

Respecting Authority

Isaiah 13: ¹¹ I will punish the world for its evil,
    the wicked for their sins.
I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty
    and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

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 By my calculations, it was time for the person at the top of the department to go. I received numerous votes from very high up people and I felt pretty secure in my resolve. I spoke pretty poorly about the head of the department, saying the ideas were not in the best interest of the company. He fought back and I lost my buy in from other departments.

• Sometimes I am the one who is arrogant.
• Sometimes I am the one who is acting wicked.
• Sometimes I am the one who carries pride and is ruthless.

Blind to the battle, I fought fearlessly as long as I had people to hide behind, but once exposed, I was alone and humbled. My haughtiness was no longer accepted as pleasing to the LORD.

• GOD wants me strong yet humble.
• GOD wants me confident and respectful.
• GOD wants me to stand up for myself without tearing someone down.

Many times I have found myself on the wrong side of GOD. I mean when I examined my actions I realized that “I” was the problem, not them. I had not respected the authority of the department head, nor GOD. I felt I could say anything anyway I wanted to, instead of carefully choosing my words lacing them with respect while telling the truth. GOD wants me to speak to HIM and others with respect and honor.

• Are you speaking to people without respect?
• Do you try to prove your value rather than showing honor to those in authority?
• Can you humble yourself while remaining confident in your abilities? 

Grant Me an Ear

Nehemian 1: ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

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You should go see the President of the company one person suggested. My problem was I didn’t understand why or how I was going to do that. I was new in my post and trying to make my way through the fog. I timidly walked over to the administrative assistant and asked for time on the calendar. To my surprise I got an appointment.

Nervous and almost shaking, I sat outside the office of the President trying to think of what I was going to say. I honestly didn’t believe the President would want to see me.

• Power has a strange way of blinding me of my ability.
• Power has a strange way of deafening me to the truth.
• Power has a strange way of dumbing my thoughts into thinking one person is “better” than the next.

GOD is “no respect of persons” meaning HE can leverage what humans would consider the lowest person to do great things. My confidence was shaken when I placed senior management on a pedestal. It’s not that I shouldn’t respect their accomplishments or their office. The problem was I put them over GOD by placing my trust in them.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than worrying about humans.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM rather than thinking humans can raise souls out of debauchery.
• GOD wants me to serve HIM with acknowledgement of sin, prayer and praise.

There is no other human who can save me outside of JESUS. Yes, I need humans to survive, but my trust has to be in GOD. Those who seek power will only find it in GOD. HE repays.

• Are you trying to gain power?
• Do you feel like you would be better off if you aligned yourself with the “correct” side?
• Can you stop focusing on the power of humans and focus on GOD’s great might and authority?