Path of Integrity
Perceived path of Integrity
The path of
integrity is not a straight line of black and white decisions. We perceive it to
be so but it is not. The world of integrity and integrity decisions live in the
grey areas of life. These would be the areas that the bible does not always
speak clearly about. For example, the bible is very clear about sin and sin
issues. i.e. do not commit adultery. do not steal. do not lie. Do not cheat on
your taxes. However in the grey area we don't get such clear direction.
A better way to look at the path of integrity is to see it as an
outward growing spiral. We start out as a small speck as we begin our
journey. We sometimes walk going around and around the same problems and
same decision. As we learn to make the right decisions we expand our realm of
influence and our realm of responsibility.
1.
Integrity is based on God. Be set upon the rock.
a.
Listen to God. He does what he says!!!!
b.
Abram wrestled for the city of
c.
God put up a rainbow after Noah’s flood. A Covenant of his
word.
d.
Isaiah 44:26 I am the Lord….who carries out the words of his
servants
2.
Integrity is more than talk.[1]
a.
Words must line up with actions.
b.
Debts must be made. Restitution is a foundation of
Integrity
i.
Returning stolen items
ii.
Returning Milk Crates
iii.
Going to old bosses and repaying stolen hours!!
iv.
True Story? When he shorted a customer $0.01 he walked five miles
to return the change.
v.
3.
Talent is a gift but Character is a choice
a.
Integrity is also a choice. Do you do what you say you are going
to do?
b.
People volunteer. People get excited about the conference or the
vision or a project but then do they show up?
c.
Students sign up for class but then drop
d.
Did you count the cost
first
e.
Let your yes be yes and your no be no!
f.
Do you as a contractor stand behind your work even when it breaks
down and costs you money? My roofer says the problem is with the siding.
4.
Integrity builds trust
a.
Do what I say not what I do.
b.
Look at Adultery. How can I break a vow made before God and still
have the ability to lead an organization. He who is faithful in the little is
faithful in big. Interesting note is that Bennis and Nanus surveyed sixty
successful CEO’s and almost all were married to their first wife
c.
Refer back to contractor story
d.
Influence has everything to do with trust. Without trust who will
follow?
Lack of Integrity
Mistrust
5.
Integrity has high influence value
a.
Employers look for people of integrity for promotion.
b.
Pastor looks for the faithful. You say you will do it, then do
it.
c.
I place a high value on those that do what they say they will
do.
6.
Integrity facilitates higher standards
a.
Everyone is doing it
7.
Integrity results in a solid reputation, not just
image.
a.
Image is what people think we are
b.
Integrity is what we really are
c.
Three C’s
i.
Consistency
1.
Are you the same no matter who you are with?
ii.
Choices
1.
Do you make decisions that are best for others when another choice
would benefit you?
iii.
Credit
1.
Do you give others credit for contributions to your
success?
8.
Integrity means living it myself before leading
others
a.
“in quality control we are not concerned about the product. We are
concerned about the process. If the process is right, the product is guaranteed”
Integrity guarantees credibility
9.
Integrity helps a leader be credible, not just
clever.
a.
You can schmooze your way through life. Eventually you will fail.
Integrity does not remove failure but it is a requirement for
success!!
b.
Do not make something seem more important than it really is. i.e.
Do not twist the facts to make something seem better than it really is. Pastors
sometimes do this to push an agenda through the board or make people give
emotionally.
10.
Integrity is a hard-won achievement
a.
It involves self-discipline, identity, dependence on the prophetic
to be what you are not yet.
11.
Finally Brethren, Personal Integrity leads to corporate integrity
a.
Story of Galto’s falling on my steps.
Compromise slices off a whole
life
Abraham and
Abimelech. 1st time integrity is mentioned. A man of the covenant
doesn’t act with integrity but Abimelech does act with integrity.
Partial truth. Sarah was
sister.
Integrity is the fuel to compete
against the world.
Integrity is challenge behind
closed doors.
A connecting point – internet
porn
Blood needs to wash the mind.
I kings 9:4 Walk in integrity of
heart as David Walked
Stand on the beach to ankles.
Sand gets washed out and put on top.
Tide of the world will take you
down.
Self Search:
Look at major areas of your life.
Where does your word not line up with your actions.
Where have you cut
corners.
Where have you let people down.
Where have you
slacked
i.
Apologize
ii.
Make restitution
iii.
Fix relationships
i.
Recreate your future
A man took his daughter to a
carnival, and she immediately ran over to a booth and asked for cotton candy. As
the attendant handed her a huge ball of it, the father asked, “Sweetheart, are
you sure you can eat all that?” “Don’t worry, Dad,” she answered, “I’m a lot
bigger on the inside than on the outside.”
Character is being bigger on the
inside.