CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 843

“Integrity”

1 Chronicles 29:17 (NLT)  I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.

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The root word translated ‘integrity’ in our reference Scripture is also translated as ‘uprightness’ in other versions.  It has the meaning of evenness of character.  How even is your character?  Are you the same person no matter where you are? Is your character the same regardless of your anonymity and when no one who knows you is watching?  The fact of the matter is that the one who knows us best always sees us and rejoices when He finds integrity and uprightness in our heart of hearts.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence? – Psalm 139:7

In recent weeks the news reported two separate events where police officers were caught violating the law by their own dash cameras and traffic cameras.  Passive accountability such as provided by surveillance cameras fails to deter the emergence of one’s true character. Our human nature’s propensity to sin dictates that we all need dynamic accountability to maintain an awareness of God’s omnipresence in our lives and to remain vigilant in living out our faith.  None of us can be so sanctified and holy this side of eternity that we cannot succumb to temptation.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. – 1 Corinthians 10:12

Temptation in itself is not sin.  How we respond to temptation dictates whether we sin or not.  Sin is always a choice.  We all have unique areas where we are weakest and it is usually along those lines that we are tempted to sin.  For some, the weakness is drug or alcohol abuse.  For others it is greed and covetousness.  Sexual immorality is a weak area that many share.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Seeking first His kingdom and righteousness is a commitment to living a pure and holy life as a Christian follower of Jesus Christ. To do so we must acknowledge our weaknesses and take steps to build dynamic accountability for our actions along the lines where we know we will be tempted.  Some accountability methods are as follows:

Flee from sexual immorality… – 1 Corinthians 6:18 When travelling away from home never be alone with a member of the opposite sex.  Stay at hotels open to disabling the television which is usually a source of pornography.  Have an accountability partner that knows your itinerary and will call you when you least expect it to touch base.  They will know if you lie to them.  Use your computer under open scrutiny at home and at work and use filters to block immoral sites.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness… – 2 Timothy 2:22  The character of the people you hang out with will influence your character.  Choose your friends carefully.  The places you frequent and how you entertain yourself in your leisure time can place you in a context whereby you are tempted to sin.  Choose to avoid the opportunity to be tempted.

May you learn to hear and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit as He guides and checks.  May the power of the risen Christ in your heart give you the power and authority to say no to sin and to be a man or woman of integrity before God and your fellow man.