When God created humankind in His own image, His moral character was imprinted in people's hearts and minds. People, whether they believe in God or not, can understand goodness, kindness, and integrity because they reflect God's moral character in them. When sin makes its way into the world through Adam's sin, it overshadows the good within the people and takes control. People then will do more bad things than good. However, some people show more kindness than others. For example, we know people who do not know God, yet they live with kindness and integrity. Often, these people rely on their goodness to be accepted. However, the Bible says that being good to others is not enough to be forgiven or be accepted by God because it is only through faith in our Lord Jesus that a person can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Living with integrity or honesty reflects God's righteousness in every human being. However, when sin entered the world, we became enslaved to sin; therefore, our sinful flesh took over, and living in integrity or honesty became a struggle. Our Lord Jesus came to save us from the power of our sinful flesh. Romans 6:6 says, "We know that our old sinful selves (flesh) were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin." The moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become free from the authority or rulership of sin in our lives. God sent the Holy Spirit to live in us so that He could help us to live honestly. Living an honest life is the reflection of God's righteousness in us, but we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help and teach us to live honestly. (Please note that living an honest life and living with integrity have the same meaning).
As believers in our Lord Jesus, God wants us to live honestly at home, work, and school. He does not want us to lie or cheat but to live with integrity so that He can bless our lives in many ways. God sent us the Holy Spirit to
live in us to help us to live with integrity.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it important to live with integrity? Who can help me to live with integrity? What lesson did I learn from today's devotion?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that living with integrity reflects your righteousness. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live in me to help and teach me to live honestly. Please continue to change my heart and renew my mind daily so that I may walk with integrity and honor your name. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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