What is integrity? Integrity is the willingness to get to the bottom of the truth no matter where it leads or what it takes to get them.The pursuit of integrity is about the quest for truth. Or facts. It is only truth that sets one freedom that demonstrates the true presence of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17). The question is, do we really want the truth? How far are we willing to go to get to the truth?
One thing that should surely bring about acute honesty is the consciousness that we are in God's presence. The appeal to the presence of God is like swearing an oath. If you swear an oath, you had better be sure you have authority to do so. The prophet Samuel invoked the presence of God in the declaration of his integrity. "Behold, here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes with? Indeed I will restore it you" (1 Sam. 12:3). The people testified that Samuel had been transparently honest in his dealings with them.
The prophet Jeremiah had a rival. His name was Hananiah. Jeremiah prophesied that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years. Hananiah invoked the presence of the Lord to claim the captivity would last only two years. Hananiah boldly proclaimed, "Thus says the Lord: Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within the space of two full years. Then the prophet Jeremiah went his way" (Jer. 28:11).
Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen now, Hananiah. The Lord has not sent you, and you make this people trust in a lie.
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Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA