Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 ESV
Jesus’ primary mission was all summed up in that scripture. That was Jesus’ assignment, and it is our assignment as well.
It was said of David, that: With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72 (ESV) The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart!
Now before we get too far along with this line of thinking let me explain the heart in this manner. The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, but also includes the emotions, the will, and thus, the whole inner being. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech, sight, and conduct.
We have another word for that: Integrity – meaning, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
There is a word for wisdom in the Old Testament which is hakmah. It was a common word used to describe great skill. A skilled craftsman – hakmah! A skilled musician – hakmah! The writer of Proverbs captures this idea and applies it to godly living – he calls us to be skilled in godly living – to live hakmah lives! We need men and women who are filled with Jesus and living godly lives.
Solomon exhorts us in Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
The heart must be guarded because it is the wellspring (source of direction) of life! It sets the stage for our choices, attitudes and behaviors of life! ABOVE ALL ELSE!
A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SURRENDERED HEART
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
A surrendered heart to God means a yielding, a giving up possession of our lives and recognizing we never truly had control in the first place. It's a personal decision. We choose to relinquish control and submit to the authority and power of God. A heart of integrity is a heart radically surrendered to God!
A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SENSITIVE HEART
What is a heart that is sensitive to God?
A heart that's sensitive to God is a heart that's tuned into what God thinks, feels, and desires. This is the opposite of how most people live. Most people are primarily concerned about themselves; what they think, what they feel and what they want.
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:25 (ESV) Keep your heart soft and responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A COURAGEOUS HEART
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)
A courageous heart means letting one believe God's promises. Courage is always fueled by faith. Good courage is fueled by faith in the ultimate good of the real God and all he promises to be for us in Jesus.
You are more dangerous than you think you are! Jesus did not die to keep us safe…he died to make us courageous! BOLDNESS is a by-product of knowing our identity in Christ – it is about intimacy with Jesus.
In Acts 4:29 the believers prayed for Boldness: And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness
God knows who you are, the Devil knows who you are, but do you know who you are! That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you! If we only believed what God believes about us, it would revolutionize our lives!
In Him, you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. In Him, you were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In Him, you have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. In Him, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Right now, all authorities, power, and dominions are under our feet!
A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SPIRIT-FILLED HEART
The key to a heart of integrity is a spirit-filled heart!
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 (ESV)
We know the downward pull of the law of sin and death but in Christ there is a new law at work within us – the law of the Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in us to bring us to wholeness, dynamic spiritual health and kingdom advancing victory!
A heart of integrity is not found in trying harder but in trusting more! “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” HAKMAH!
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