I remember a few years ago attending a satelite conference at Open Door Baptist in Enterprise. This was a John Maxwell conference. One of the keynote speakers was motivationalist Zig Ziglar. He was emphatic about the importance of integrity. He shared that he doesn't even go to lunch with his secretary to avoid the appearance of wrong doing. He adressed the situation of former President, Bill Clinton. I remember him looking right in the camera..pointing his finger and proclaiming...Mr. Clinton integrity does matter.
It seems we like to point the finger at others while we deviate in our own areas. That is what I call hypocritical! Jesus spoke about these things when he said, 'why do you desire to remove a splinter from your brothers eye when you have a log in yours.'
I am the first to admit that I struggle in some areas just like other folks struggle in some areas. I have learned that most people are willing to offer grace in an admitted struggle. But, the hypocritical out-right lack of integrity is something that can become a stigma that is nearly impossible to remove. So I am crying out for integrity in our churches, and especially among our leaders.
Some keys to helping you achieve a life of integrity:
- Allow 2 or 3 people in your life that have the liberty to say anything they need to say.
- Confess sin immediately, most of us don't need someone else to tell us when we sin.
- If you need to make something right with someone, sooner is better than later.
- Personal retreats are good for times of personal reflection.
- Prayer will keep you close to God. Journaling your prayer time may help!
- Bombard yourself with the Word! Renew that mind!
- Be accountable to someone that you respect as a spiritual leader.
- Do not let anything keep you from regular worship services. Connect to a local church.
- If a problem becomes serious you may want to consider professional counseling. Counseling is better than a life of constant compromise.
- Admit your weaknesses...in our weakness He is made strong!
- Be careful who you hang with. Birds of a feather flock together.
- Quit trying to be in control. An old church slogan comes to mind...let go and let God!
- Admit when you are wrong.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in every area of your life.
INTEGRITY MATTERS!!!
3 comments:
Great post. You are absolutely right. Too many so-called leaders have totally forgotten about integrity. We need to hold a leadership conference for church and business leaders and you need to be the keynote speaker and talk about integrity. I've talked with Pastor Ralph about doing a leadership conference and he was all about it. Maybe we can all get together soon and plan it.
Love you Bro.
See you tonight.
That's exactly what I have been working on for the last several months. Praying, and trying to do what is right in the christian values. Deana and I have been working hard to make things right in our lives, relationship, and our children's lives. I think you remember what we talked about yesterday.... I talked with Deana about it last nigh, and more to come on that later. You are soooo right with your post. Integrity, it sets your personal values and encourages others to follow. We can't change or judge others, but we can all set an example for others to follow.
Excellent post, bro. Thank you.
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