A Matter of Integrity
Few things in this world aggravate me more than someone who claims to be a Christian but who bears fruit contradicting that. It’s one thing for the world to take advantage of people, but it’s an entirely different story when Christians are taking advantage of people, especially when they’re doing it to other Christians. Where’s the integrity? Where’s the fruit of the Spirit? For that matter, where’s the Holy Spirit who would burden their hearts and say, “This is wrong”? If that’s what it takes to have a “successful” ministry, I want none of it. I’d rather plod along, doing what I can to make ends meet, than to compromise my integrity by accusing others of taking advantage of people while doing the very same thing myself. Honestly, it makes me sick!
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. ”
The world expects Christians to live by a higher standard, and they’re right to do so. The above verse tells us that to whom much is given, much will be required. As Christians, we’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit; therefore, we are required to live by that Spirit and to allow that Spirit to be evident in our lives. We have been given much, and God expects something in return. Not as payment for salvation, mind you, but in gratitude.
At the moment of salvation, we became new; old things were passed away. That new creation is born of the Spirit, the one who longs to please God and do His will. Unfortunately, we still have to deal with this old flesh which only wants what it wants. Essentially, there’s a battle going on within us—the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh. The spiritual side asks, “What can I do for others?” while the fleshly side questions, “What’s in it for me?” And when we give in to that flesh, we lose our integrity and often our testimony.
So, how do we ensure the Spirit triumphs over the flesh? As I pondered that question this morning, I was reminded of an old story I used in one of my children’s books. Whether the tale is true, I don’t know, but the lesson contained within it is straight from God’s Word.
“A young child sat at the feet of his grandfather as the old man told him about two wolves—one black, one white—who were warring inside him. Each fought for control, each wanting its own way, and both wolves were strong and powerful. At a pause in the story, the child asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The grandfather leaned forward and answered, “The one I feed.””
Does it give you the chills? It does me, but it’s the truth. The one that wins is the one we feed, the one we give in to time and time again. The more often we give in to the flesh, the more powerful it becomes. Likewise, the same happens with the Spirit, which means it’s challenging to do the right thing at first, but the more often we do it, the easier it will become.
The word “Christian” means “Christ-like.” If we do not act like Christ, we ought not call ourselves Christians. Otherwise, we’re using the name of the Lord in vain. If, on the other hand, we’re intent on calling ourselves Christians, let’s make sure we live up to it. The world is looking for something different. They are holding us to a higher standard, and we owe it to our Lord to be a shining example for Him.
“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
In what areas are you tempted to compromise your integrity? How do you deal with the warring between your flesh and the Spirit? Sharing your answers in the comments below may help others in their struggle, so please join the discussion.