Wow…what a week! This whole idea of self-examination, the process of focusing on ME instead of OTHERS hasn’t been easy, but it’s been good! Well, today marks the end of our discussion on Spiritual Inventory (at least the first half of it).
So far we’ve discussed relationships with others, priorities in life, and attitude. Today, we’ll end things by discussing INTEGRITY. Many of us have most likely heard this word before, but might not actually know what it is. With that said, let’s start today by offering up a definition.
Integrity is an adherence to moral and ethical principles. It is soundness of character or, in other words, honesty. HONESTY. That word can send chills down your spine. Speaking truth. Letting people know who you are. Being real. Being authentic. Letting your guard down. Taking the mask off. That strikes fear into a lot of people. But INTEGRITY goes a step further.
Integrity isn’t merely being honest with others, it’s being honest ALL THE TIME. Integrity is who you are when you think no one else is looking. When the door is shut and the lights are off and no one else is around, who are you? Do you portray yourself differently in the view of others and when you’re by yourself? Do you suffer from self-inflicted multiple personality disorder?
Again, it’s comes down to the question, who are you? Let’s take a look at Scripture.
Think about it. How much time do you spend pretending? How much time do you spend trying to maintain the lie of who you’d LIKE to be, who you WISH you were? Paul clearly tells us to stop lying to one another. Stop pretending. In Christ we don’t have to worry about putting up a front, we don’t have to be somebody for someone else. In Christ we are made NEW. We’ve left our old way of life, we’ve left the things we did before. We have to learn to let go of our past and embrace who we are in the present…a son or a daughter of a loving, forgiving, merciful God.
Ask yourself…when have I been dishonest? Have I stolen things? Do I lie and exaggerate about who I am and what I’ve done? Do I pretend to be one way with my recovery group, my church family, and another with my co-workers, my family, my friends?
You CAN find freedom from your hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
You CAN be set free from the pain of your past.
You CAN experience joy and happiness in your present.
You CAN overcome your current circumstances.
You CAN find hope.
You CAN be you.
Don’t miss the chance. Don’t miss the opportunity to be the man or woman God created you to be, purposed you to be, desires you to be. He wants to change the world through you, but to do that, you’ve gotta be willing to BE YOU! You don’t have to run FROM your past because he’ll help you THROUGH it. Address it. Confess it. Own it. Leave no stone unturned. Keep no secrets. Experience what it means to be FREE.
How’s your integrity?
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