Having Integrity in an Unintegrous World

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

When I was growing up and into my teenage years, it seemed like my buddies and I were mischievous-minded—always scheming of ways to do things we shouldn’t have been doing. I remember at the age of 13 scheming to steal tobacco and a pipe from a local drug store to then take into a local gas station bathroom with a couple of buddies and smoke—which we did.

Have you ever been a schemer? The main reason people scheme is to get something they want in a way that is not legally or ethically right or to manipulate a work-around after already being given the answer of No to something they wanted to do. The world is filled with schemers who are secretly scheming, even at this very moment. I’d probably still been scheming had I not given my life to Jesus and renewed my mind to His word and ways!

As I began to learn the Bible, God’s word made it clear that scheming was bad. I could see biblical figures scheming because they did not or would not ask for God’s help, or if they did, they weren’t patient enough or lacked the faith to believe that God would help them and so they made their own plan that they knew in their heart, was not integrous.

Scheming will subtly lead you away from God. It’s like you have to turn of the light switch to God so that you can pursue things your own way and not feel guilty about it. Scheming will hurt or destroy your ability to be sensitive to God’s voice. It will destroy the timing of God’s will for what He does want for us in our life. It will also hinder from ever learning the character development of trusting God—something critical to ever receiving the fullness of blessing that God so desperately wants us to have in life.

Proverbs helps us see the person that won’t trust or listen to God and ends up scheming. Proverbs 1:30-31 NLT says, “Since they would not accept My advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” Then Proverbs 24:8 NIV says, “He who plots evil will be known as a schemer.”

I know that when we want something, our flesh does not like to wait. But that is part of the work that God wants to do in us. God tells us to forget about those that do cheat or scheme to get their own way. Instead wait on Him.

I know we live in an evil world and sometimes we are tempted to compromise our integrity to keep up with others that scheme. It’s also easy to believe that cheaters have an advantage. They don’t. In the end, it will catch up with them. So, don’t be that person! God has a higher way! Matt 5:8 NIV says, “Blessed are the pure in heart (motive and purpose) for they shall see God (and understand His ways.”) And Proverbs 22:11 NIV says, “Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king’s friend.” Be pure in heart! When you feel that check in your heart, find out why—especially if it has to do with integrity! Ask and pray and then learn to God’s timing. Over time as you look back, you will see that He often gave you better that you imagined doing things His way. The high road is the only road to take!

Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV) “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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