Sunday, May 12, 2013 am
PURER IN HEART (6)
Qualities of a Pure Heart (2)
a.
The dictionary defines
the word as “adherence to moral or
ethical principles; soundness of moral character, honesty.”[1]
b.
Another definition of
integrity is, “a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.”[2]
This term is used of aircraft and ships and it gives us a good
grasp of integrity. What it
means is that the structure of an aircraft is sound and reliable.
In other words, it has been tested and when the airplane is
flying, it is not going to fall apart in the sky.
c.
When we speak of
integrity of the pure heart, we see one whose character is upright and
above reproach. It describes
one whose life is “intact” and who will NOT fall apart when tested.
d.
Some words associated
with integrity include: virtuous, uncompromising, honorable, genuine &
upright.
e.
It is the opposite of
the hypocrite. A hypocrite
is one who pretends (the word was actually associated with an actor) to
be something other than he really is.
When Jesus exposed the Pharisees and scribes in Matthew 23, he
revealed their lack of spiritual integrity.
In front of others they would PRETEND to be pious, but their
hearts were greedy, corrupt and prideful.
Their religion was a SHAM!
A HEART of integrity is unpretentious.
In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus contrasts a prideful Pharisee and a tax
collector. Both were praying
in the temple. One was
putting on a show while the other with integrity would not so much as
lift up his head because of unworthiness.
Jesus describes the tax collector as sincere and humble.
a.
Titus 2:6-8,
as Titus is to instruct various groups in their conduct, of young men he
says that they be, “sober-minded,
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in
doctrine showing integrity,
reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that
one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of
you.” The KJV, ASV uses
the word, “uncorruptness”.
This is a good verse to demonstrate integrity and its fruits.
b.
2 Pet. 1:5
– add to your faith, virtue.
In describing how we as Christians are to grow by building upon our
faith, the very next quality he mentions is virtue.
The term “virtue” means “moral excellence”.
It is associated with one’s integrity in that it describes one
whose character is upright and incorruptible.
Friends, integrity is FUNDAMENTAL to our lives as Christians.
It needs to be ingrained in our
hearts preceding our pursuit of the word of God.
Why? Because our
virtue will determine HOW we receive God’s word.
That is why it is mentioned BEFORE knowledge in this list. Recall
again Matthew 28:20 and the attitude a disciple must have, “teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you.”
c.
Phil. 1:27-29, “Only let your
conduct
be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see
you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your
adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of
salvation, and that from God.”
d.
Romans 5:3-4,
as Paul speaks of the tribulations we will endure, he notes, “And
not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character,
hope.” As we endure
(i.e. are tested) it proves our integrity.
In fact, it can even Improve our character.
In another passage dealing with the various trials we endure, Peter said
that even though we are grieved by various trials,
“the genuineness of your
faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes,
though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love.”
(1 Pet. 1:6-7)
e.
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways
will become known.”
(Proverbs 10:9, NKJV)
f.
“The integrity of the
upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will
destroy them.”
(Proverbs 11:3, NKJV)
g.
“Better is the poor who
walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a
fool.”
(Proverbs 19:1, NKJV)
h.
“Even a child is known
by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.”
(Proverbs 20:11, NKJV)
i.
“The Lord shall judge
peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and
according to my integrity within me.
Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But
establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My
defense is of God, Who saves the
upright in heart.”
Can we approach God with this attitude?
Do we truly want Him examining our integrity?
NOTE: This does not mean that sincerity alone will save, but it needs to
be there!
a.
The Bibles some powerful
examples of integrity. One
of the benefits of studying the Old Testament (even though we are not
under that law anymore) is the examples set for us.
Rom. 15:4 tells these things were written for our learning, so
that we might have hope. Let
us notice a few examples of integrity.
b.
Job – known for his suffering, he is also recorded for us because of his
integrity. Consider how
Satan approached the Lord God.
Notice the Lord’s description of Job, “Then
the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there
is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who
fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8).
Satan claimed that the only reason Job feared the Lord was
because of his great blessings.
So all was allowed to be taken away.
But instead of cursing God, Job praised Him and worshipped
saying, “Naked I came from my
mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name
of the Lord.’ In all this
Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:21-22)
When Satan again appeared before the Lord, the Lord’s response was, “Have
you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth,
a blameless and upright man,
one who fears God and shuns evil? And
still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me
against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)
Satan again accuses Job.
AND even after his health was taken away to the point that his
wife tells him to “curse God and die!” Job responds, “’Shall
we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’
In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job. 2:10)
c.
Moses
– as a leader of Israel, his integrity is seen throughout.
While not perfect, he
demonstrated an uncompromising loyalty to God, especially as the leader
of the children of Israel.
Consider Hebrews 11:24-26 which shows, that even raised in Pharaoh’s
house, he knew who his God was.
Also consider Hebrews 3:1-5 where Moses was described as
“faithful in all his house.”
In the wilderness Moses
was often abused by the people, but he still led them with virtue and
character. While they
continually complained and even accused him, their charges were proven
false.
On one occasion in the wilderness, the people were bitter and
complaining. They accuse
Moses of bringing them into the wilderness to die.
It comes AFTER their refusal to enter the Promised Land the first
time (Num. 13-14) and they
are sentenced by the LORD Himself to dwell in the wilderness for 40
years. He is
challenged by Korah and some 250 men of the leaders.
It is recorded in Numbers 16.
They accused Moses and Aaron of taking too much authority for
themselves. They reasoned,
“We are all holy in God’s eyes.”
In essence they wanted a greater share of the leadership, very
likely they wanted to remove Moses and Aaron from their position.
They complained about the decisions Moses and Aaron were making.
BUT what they FAILED to realize was that the decisions of Moses
were from God Himself. As a
result of the charges Moses fell on his face and proposed a test for the
next day involving offerings and censers.
Because some refused to cooperate in this test, Moses spoke to
the Lord saying, “Do
not respect their offering.
I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
(vs. 15) NOTICE how
Moses has acted with integrity.
The next day, the Lord speaks to Moses and Aaron saying to separate
themselves from the people so that He could consume them.
Even though Moses is angry he pleads with the Lord, “O
God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and YOU be
angry with all the congregation?” (vs. 22).
NOTICE how Moses STILL seeks what is just and right.
He only desires the wicked be punished.
His desire is granted as Korah and those with him, including
their families, are swallowed up by the earth, but not before he says
this, “By this you shall know that
the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of
my own will.” (vs. 28-30)
IN addition to this, a flame of fire came out from the censers at
the hand of the Lord and consumed the 250 men who had challenged Moses.
Even the next day, when the people continued to complain and
rebel, Moses and Aaron reacted to spare the people from a plague that
was sent by the Lord as a result of Israel’s rebellion.
Some 14,700 died.
The plague was stopped by Aaron and Moses.
Earlier, on another occasion, this time when Aaron and Miriam complained
to Moses, the Lord said of him, “He is faithful in all my house.
I speak to him face to face…” (Num. 12:6-8)
At the death of Moses, we read, “But
since then there has not risen in Israel, a prophet like Moses, whom the
Lord knew face to face.” Deut. 34:10
d.
Daniel – as you examine his life, you see integrity throughout.
From his refusal to eat the king’s delicacies because of faith in
Jehovah God, to his dedication and loyalty to his tasks, to his refusal
to stop praying to God 3 times a day.
Daniel 6 records that occasion.
Babylon has fallen, and Daniel is again exalted, this time in the
kingdom of the Medes, under King Darius.
As Daniel prospered, others became jealous of him (NOTE: in his
example we see that it is not about HOW MUCH one has that determines his
integrity). “Then
this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps,
because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king gave thought to
setting him over the whole realm.
So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against
Daniel concerning the kingdom; but
they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was
there any error or fault found in him.
Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this
Daniel unless we find it against
him concerning the law of his God.”
(Dan. 6:3-5) NOTICE how the
ONLY way they would have an accusation was for them to create a law that
contradicted his service to God.”
A decree was created that for 30 days no one could petition any
god or man for 30 days, except the king.
Dan. 6:10 sys, “Now when
Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home.
And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he
knelt down on his knees that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his
God, as was his custom since early days.”
Notice how Daniel did NOT change his behavior.
He didn’t begin praying to spite the king.
It was his ordinary conduct.
Unaltered and NOT to “prove a point”.
The point: His conduct was consistent and NOT swayed by the
ungodly decrees of man – THAT is integrity!
As a result of Daniel’s conduct, he was put into the lion’s den, but the
Lord delivered him, much to the relief of the king.
e.
Paul – another great study in integrity.
Paul lived above reproach.
When charges were levied against him, they did not stick.
He was able to tell the Elders of Ephesus, “You
know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always
lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and
trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back
nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you
publicly and from house to house…” (Ac. 20:18-20).
“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the
blood of all men. For I have
not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (vs. 26-27)
When he was accused in Corinth of self-serving motives, he was able to
defend himself in 2 Corinthians 11:5-12.
This is just one example.
f.
Jesus
– the ultimate example
of integrity. Jesus NEVER
wavered in His work. He
NEVER sinned! He stood for
and taught the truth, regardless of what men might think.
When the leaders sought to accuse Him, He answered, “Which
of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46).
g.
In all these examples,
there is something is a great indicator of integrity.
Peter wrote, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they
defame you as evildoers, those who
revile your good conduct in
Christ may be ashamed.” (1 Pet. 3:15-16).
1 Peter 2:11-12 says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly
lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among
the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day
of visitation.” Integrity does not mean that accusations cannot
be made, but your character overcomes them – “that when they defame you
as evildoers…”
a.
A necessary quality for leaders in the Lord’s church
– elders (blameless – 1 Tim. 3:2), preachers
(1 Tim. 4:12, 16) , deacons (1 Tim. 3:10 – tested and found blameless),
etc.
b.
The pure heart will
clearly manifest integrity.
It will not allow its character to be diminished by actions or words,
nor to be morally corrupted. He
lives by his convictions both outwardly and within his heart.
c.
Integrity is seen in one’s view of the word of God.
There is a reason it comes BEFORE knowledge in our growth
process. Cf. Acts 17:11,
Jas. 1:21, etc.
[1]
"integrity." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House,
Inc. 09 May. 2013. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/integrity>.
[2] Ibid