DAVE Talk 2015.2
Living Lives of Integrity
Paul writes to Titus, “In everything set an example by doing what is good – ‘be a pattern
and a model of good deeds and works’ (AMP). In your teaching show integrity – ‘be
incorruptible in your teaching’ (TM), ‘unadulterated’ (AMP), seriousness and soundness of
speech that cannot be condemned – ‘showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and
purity of motive] with dignity and seriousness’ (AMP), so that those who oppose you may be
ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us – ‘then anyone who is dead set
against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around’ (TM)”
(2:7-8,NIV).
One picture that has etched itself into my imagination over the years has been that of a
single house standing after the fifth most costly hurricane Ivan struck the shores of Galveston,
Texas in 2004. They say that this cyclone kicked up waves that reached 90 feet high. One lone
house braved this destructive storm, and remained firmly intact on the beach head. It had
what we would call, “structural integrity.” It survived the wind, the waves and the flood: its
foundation was not undermined when it was tested.
I believe that the strength of an organization like Kelowna Christian Center Society is
found in the core integrity of its people. We have entered critical times, and we are facing a
season of varied challenges. It is in these times that our integrity is put to the challenge, and
we find whether character and convictions or circumstance and preferences rule our lives.
Charlie Brown said, “Most of us like lives of ups and upper ups.” However, the Bible
doesn’t promise that. It does promise us a hope and a future, and calls us to be people who
“do not faint in the day of adversity….” (Pr 24:10). In difficult times, we need to be found
strong, and our strength is found in the “structural spiritual integrity” God provides.
Integrity means “to have an adherence to strict moral and ethical principles; to function
with soundness of moral character, free from corrupting influence or motive; honest; in
nature, operating from a wholeness, entire, and incapable of being diminished, sound,
unimpaired, or in perfect condition; incorruptible, uncompromised.”
DAVE Talk 2015.2
One who has integrity is a person who has strict moral and ethical principles and
soundness of moral character. People of integrity are free from corrupting influence or ulterior
motives. They are honest, internally whole, and cannot be diminished by challenge. They
function in an unimpaired, incorruptible manner and cannot be compromised.
The opposite of integrity is the word hypocrisy, referring to an actor who plays a part on
stage: literally, “one who performs behind a mask.” Hypocrisy is the credibility gap between
the state of the inside and the outside world, between character and personality, between
what we know to do as right and what we actually do, between our talk and our walk. It has to
do with degrees of pretension. It takes a long time to establish a life of integrity, and reveals
itself in our workmanship, our values, and our sense of duty.
Unfortunately, if there is any hypocrisy, it can be undermined in a Hurricane Ivan mono
second. Faulty foundations are exposed in an instant. Cracks emerge for all to see. Porous
material reveals a lack of substance and strength that cannot sustain the strain of the
moment. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to walk our Christ’s integrity in our hearts.
What we need in these times is a deep spiritual sincerity anchored into a vibrant
relationship to Christ, a freedom from hypocrisy. Sincerity is a picture word that alludes to
vases that were formed on the potter’s wheel, baked in the fire, and then, sent to market. To
evaluate the vase’s sincerity, it had to come through the fire and pass the test of light.
Insincere vases cracked under the heat, and potters would fill in the cracks with wax. To
evaluate whether something was sincere or not, the buyer would lift the vase into light. If
there were any cracks, the light came through the wax and exposed its insincerity. It was
considered something without integrity, compromised, unsound, and ultimately, unusable. It
could not take the heat or the light: we must be able to sustain both.
James 1:3-5 gives us some keys to overcoming in times like these. The Message
translation says, “You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and
shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so
you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what
you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be
condescended to when you ask for it.”
The first key has to do with “attitude.” Consider it joy when you encounter adversity of
any kind. Some people are more naturally optimistic, and find it easier to handle extreme
challenges with faith. However, all of us need to take this spiritual position seriously: don’t let
the enemy rob you of your joy. Joyfully encounter every issue.
The second key has to do with “action” – exercise your faith in God, His Word and
promises. Don’t allow the enemy to develop in you a place of fear and anxiety, or dislodge you
from your confidence. Guard over your heart and mind, and activate your faith. If you are low
on faith, the Bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom 10:17).
So, get into the Word, get the Word into you, get His Word into your mouth, and declare that
Word into your situation.
DAVE Talk 2015.2
The third key is to choose to “endure.” The exercise of your faith will strengthen your
spirit, enabling you to persevere when others quit. Endurance does not mean “patience or an
ability to tolerate or survive.” It is an overcoming term, the ability to keep moving forward,
making progress, when others are drawing back. Endurance is the “quality of character in the
face of difficulty and provocation that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under
trial” (Vine’s). Scripture makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 13:10 that “God is faithful to His nature
and character not to allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear or endure.” He
promises to “provide a way of escape for us - an exit strategy, a way in the wilderness, a
landing place where we stand upright.”
The fourth key has to do with “character” of a “life of integrity.” If we will allow our faith
to work, and keep committed in our heart believing in a good and godly outcome, James says
that we will be “perfectly developed, lacking in nothing” and we will be able to radiate
integrity to our world. We will not be spared what others face, but we will be able to
overcome and not be overwhelmed. We can possess a break-out and breakthrough power,
resurrection strength, grace that enables us to grow faster, go further, climb higher, or push
the limits of possibility past our fears and discouragement.
Jesus is our example of a life of integrity. The Holy Spirit invades us with Christ’s
integrity and character, stamping His image and imprinting His character upon our hearts and
minds. We are called to express this integrity in all we are and in all that we do. That integrity
will sustain us in the midst of the greatest storms that come to rock our world.
Jesus entered a turbulent and chaotic world that first Christmas. He lived a life that
demonstrated what the power of a life of integrity – submission to the Father, commitment to
His team, loyalty to the eternal plan, and commitment to the cause and purpose of His coming
– can accomplish.
May the Lord be gracious to us all in 2016 as we commit ourselves to be a people and an
organization of great integrity, not because of our personal capability, but because of His
capability to work this integrity in and through us. From our leadership team, may I wish you
and your family a Blessed Christmas celebration and a very fruitful and prosperous New Year.