INTEGRITY: WHOLENESS AND HOLINESS

Here's Pastor Doug Batchelor from www.amazingfacts.org with the Sacramento church



To study the lesson with Dr Derek Norris of the Lake Forest church, click on the following link:

http://media.forestlakechurch.org/content/media/2010q206-05-integrity-wholeness-and-holiness



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Integrity: Wholeness and Holiness

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7, 8, NIV).


How Can I Sin Against God?
Andres Saenz, Alamosa, Colorado, U.S.A.
Sabbath Introduction
Gen. 39:9

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7, 8, NIV).

“I was just rectifying accounts,” she said.

I grew up in an environment in which cheating was part of life. The attitude was, the more you cheat, the smarter you are. What I learned from cheating, however, is that sooner or later everything will come out, and people will know who you really are. Some people think that they won’t get caught, but they always do.

I remember a pharmacy technician in my country who was a student at a private university. She always seemed to have money for everything she wanted. One day, her coworker asked her where all of her money was coming from, because the coworker suspected she was stealing money from the company. The technician said that her mother was giving her money, but her coworker didn’t believe her. One day the coworker watched as the technician sold a medicine, but failed to record the purchase. Instead, she put the money in her pocket. Eventually she was fired. She justified her actions by saying that she should have been paid more. “I was just rectifying accounts,” she said.

Willpower, morality, and spirituality are centered in the brain’s frontal lobe.* So, having a healthy brain will help us to have a better relationship with God. We need to be careful about the type of lifestyle we lead, because our lifestyle affects our frontal lobe. Many things affect the activity of the frontal lobe. Among them are the diet we choose, exercise, television programs and movies we watch, computer games we play, the types of books we read, and the music we listen to.

If you are struggling with the issue of integrity—living up to what you believe—consider eating more healthfully. Remember that you are what you eat! Study the example of Daniel, who decided to be faithful to God and not to eat the food the king offered him. As a result, he was found to be ten times wiser than the young men who ate the royal food (Dan.1:15–20). Also consider Joseph, who considered integrity crucial to his relationship with God, regardless of his circumstances.

This week, as you study integrity and its relationship to health, holiness, and wholeness, may you be inspired to nourish both your body and your soul.

REACT
What made Daniel and Joseph strong enough to remain true to what they believed, despite the fact that their lives were in jeopardy?
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*Dr. Neil Nedley, Renewing the Mind: The Frontal Lobe, http://neilnedleymd.revivevideo.com/index.htm#msg04 (accessed March 9, 2009).



Is Your Life Aligned With His?
James G. Moon, La Jara, Colorado, U.S.A.
Monday Logos
Gen. 39:6–12; 1 Sam. 24:1–10; Dan. 6:1–10;
Matt. 4:1–11; Rom. 1:25–27; Eph. 3:14–21

A basic definition of integrity is this: when your ways match your words. And biblical integrity is when your ways match God’s Word, when your whole life is aligned with His will and His ways. Let’s take a look at some people in Scripture who lived in alignment with the heart of our Father.

What can we do when integrity breaks down?

Aligning Our Roles (Gen. 39:6–12)
Joseph had two basic roles. He was a child of God and the manager of
Potiphar’s household. Because his roles were in alignment with his first allegiance to God and his second to humanity, he was able resist the sexual advances of Potiphar’s wife. Now some might say, “But look where his integrity got him! Prison!” Yes, in the short term, integrity often takes us down a difficult road. However, in the long term, we shall never regret putting God first. Ultimately, Joseph became Pharaoh’s right-hand man (see Genesis 40 and 41). Ultimately, he became a blessing to his father’s house.

Aligning Our Resentments (1 Sam. 24:1–10)
In Romans we read, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19, NASB). David showed integrity when he refused to allow resentment toward Saul, who was seeking to kill him, to lead him down the path of personal revenge. How often do we attempt to get even, only to find that we have gotten bitter? Granted, some of us may have been threatened, abused, raped, molested, or wrongly accused. But, the dark side of defending and avenging ourselves is that we end up trapped in anger, resentment, and unforgiveness. In contrast, biblical integrity is when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, putting them in God’s hands and allowing Him to be our vindicator.

Aligning Our Worship (Dan. 6:1–10)
Like David, Daniel trusted God to be his vindicator. His very name means “God is my Judge.” And through an experiential understanding of God’s justice, protection, and provision (Daniel 1, 2, 5), Daniel arrived at a place of radical integrity in worship. When faced with the threat of being thrown to the lions, he kept worshiping because he had spent a lifetime learning to trust in God as his defender.

As Adventists, we are called to proclaim the message “ ‘Fear God, and give
Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters’ ” (Rev. 14:7, NASB). Like David and Daniel, we are a people who worship God in part because He is our Judge. And in spite of what others might say or do to us, our way of life must become our way of worship.

Aligning Our Identity
Worship was certainly Jesus’ way of life. And the reason He worshiped with such integrity was that His identity was aligned with the word of His Father. At His baptism, the Father declared, “ ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased’ ” (Matt. 3:17, NASB). And when tempted by the devil to turn the stones to bread, Christ declared, “ ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERYRY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD’ ” (Matt. 4:4, NASB). In other words, Satan said, “If you are God’s son, prove it by turning the stones to bread.” But Christ understood that our identity is defined not by what we do, but by what God has done, by what God has said. And God declares to us that in Christ, we are His beloved!

When God affirmed Jesus after His baptism, and said, “ ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,’ ” He said it to us. As a result, your prayers, through faith in your substitute, Jesus Christ, are accepted by the Father.1

Out of Alignment (Rom. 1:26, 27)
Romans paints a picture of a people who have experienced a breakdown in integrity—a people who have lost their identity. They have become dis-connected from God and, as a result, have unhealthy relationships with one another; exchanging natural relationships for unnatural ones. Their failure to trust in God’s Word and provision led to moral and spiritual perversion.

Aligning Our Prayers (Eph. 3:14–21)
What can we do when integrity breaks down? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 reveals a powerful way to strengthen our integrity and the integrity of others. In praying for others to find wholeness in their inner being, we ourselves are strengthened. In praying for them to know the “love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (verse 19, NRSV), we find ourselves lost in the depths of His love.

“The highest glory of Christ upon His sovereign throne today is the glory of His prevailing intercession. . . . There is no more Christlike role than to be a co-
intercessor with Christ for the priorities upon His heart. In no other way can the Christian be of greater strength and blessing to Christ’s church. In no other way can you do more to advance Christ’s kingdom and bring glory to the name of Jesus.”2
____________
1. 1888 Materials, p. 124.
2. Wesley Duewel, Mighty Prevailing Prayer (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1990), p. 27.


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Integrity Role Model and Influence
Lani Tomagan-Willis, Pasay City, Philippines
Tuesday Testimony
Prov. 11:3

My parents sacrificed much to help others. Observing them, I have grown to appreciate the value of integrity. Their example has built within me a desire to do what I can to use my God-given talents for the benefit of others.

“When you lose your conscious integrity, your soul becomes a battlefield for Satan.”

“God desires us to make use of every opportunity for securing a preparation for His work. He expects us to put all our energies into its performance and to keep our hearts alive to its sacredness and its fearful responsibilities.”1

“When you lose your conscious integrity, your soul becomes a battlefield for Satan; you have doubts and fears enough to paralyze your energies and drive you to discouragement.”2 Review Psalm 25:21 and Ephesians 4:15.

It is interesting that while helping the poor, we are advised to “keep always in view their spiritual needs.”3 We are to meet people where they are and educate them, not in pride, but in character building. Life’s best things—simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, purity, integrity—cannot be bought or sold. For everyone, God has provided much good pleasure that may be enjoyed by both rich and poor alike. Pleasure is found in cultivating pure thoughts and unselfish actions. Pleasure comes from speaking sympathizing words and doing kind deeds.

From those who perform such service, the light of Christ shines to brighten lives darkened by many shadows. “Integrity, self-denial, and humility should characterize our lives.”4

“It is essential that you cultivate faithfulness in little things, and in so doing you will acquire habits of integrity in greater responsibilities. The little incidents of everyday life often pass without our notice, but it is these things that shape the character. Every event of life is great for good or for evil.”5

Thousands upon thousands of human beings are perishing. There is great work to be done. Are you doing all you can to help?
____________
1. The Ministry of Healing, p. 498.
2. Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 321.
3. The Ministry of Healing, p. 198.
4. Medical Ministry, p. 131.
5. Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 270.



The Integrity-Woven Character
Kay Brock, Estes Park, Colorado, U.S.A.
Wednesday How-to
Num. 23:19; Ps. 20:7; Titus 2:7

Cloth is woven with a shuttle filled with yarn, going in and out, in and out, until finally, there is a beautiful piece of fabric. So are our characters woven on a daily basis, with thoughts going in and out, in and out, all day long. It’s so easy, just once, to plagiarize a paper or tell that “little white lie.” The key is to make sure that all of our thoughts are of the purest quality possible. How do we maintain the integrity of our thoughts?

Every day, every response to each thought is a choice.

Our highest example of integrity is God. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind” (NIV). To meet such a high standard ourselves, we must daily adhere to God’s values with brutal honesty, all day long, for the thoughts in our minds weave in and out, in and out all day long.

Closeness to our Lord is the only way to achieve integrity. Satan is trying to slip into our decision-making process. One must always choose to be honest. This does not come naturally. Every day, every response to each thought is a choice. Only God’s leading can keep us strong enough to make the right choice. Through daily Bible study one can stay close to Him.
Trust in the Lord to lead you. Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (NIV). If we are in constant contact with Him through prayer, we can hear and learn to trust His whisperings, His leading.

Stand firm when the winds of evil blow over you. Pressure to make an unwise choice will be there, always. Prove yourself before God and other people. Titus 2:7 says, “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility” (NKJV). “An honest man, according to Christ’s measurement, is one who will manifest unbending integrity. . . . Firm integrity shines forth as gold amid the dross and rubbish of the world.”*
Stand firm, so that your cloth of character will be beautifully woven with integrity.

REACT
How do you think people see your character?
____________
*Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 310.



Strength for Your Inner Being
Timothy J. Pellandini, Alamosa, Colorado, U.S.A.
Thursday Opinion
Eph. 3:16, 17

Today’s text shows Paul petitioning God for church members to surrender their inner being to the Spirit so that Christ may dwell in them. How does that concept of inner strength become real in your life? Let me tell you what it means in mine.

“How do you become the person you desire to be?”

If “men look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart”
(1 Sam. 16:7, NIV), then I believe God would rather have an inner conviction than the outward display I try so hard to show the world—an inner conviction that will help me to do what is right even when no one else is looking. For me this means not yielding to the temptation to view pornography on my computer, pushing my chair back from the table before I eat too much, following through with private commitments with as much integrity as I would for my employer, and showing hospitality to those in need even though I don’t connect with their personality.

But how can you or I expect to become transformed into the likeness of Christ if we ignore the “inner being” issues? “How do you become the person you desire to be? You start now to adopt the thinking, learn the skills, and develop the habits of the person you wish to be. It’s a mistake to daydream about ‘one day when you’ll be on top’ instead of handling today so that it prepares you for tomorrow.”1 It’s easy for me to read the preceding lines in light of my career and think, Wow, great stuff! But it’s more difficult to take it to heart in my relationship with God, because it requires tough decisions and commitment. Yet this kind of commitment is exactly what God wants. “The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail. God’s plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward.”2

Are you convinced? Join me! Become purposeful about giving in to the Spirit in order to strengthen your “inner being.” Let God create in you a heart that will not be bought or sold, a heart that will be whole and holy when it’s just you and your Lord.
_____________
1. John C. Maxwell, The 360 Degree Leader (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 9.
2. Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 35.



The Value of Biblical Integrity
Chandler Riley, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A.
Friday Exploration
Titus 2:7, 8

CONCLUDE
God values integrity. Having integrity means that your actions match your words. The Bible is full of examples of people who displayed true biblical integrity, people who lived lives consistent with the Bible and with God’s leading in their lives. They put God’s ways above their own. We can develop and maintain biblical integrity by adhering to His values, spending time with Him, trusting Him and His leading in our lives, and standing firm in what we believe. God wants to make these life changes in us beginning in our heart and moving outward to our actions.

CONSIDER
•Making a collage that demonstrates what integrity means to you. Use pictures from magazines, personal photos, and small objects to get your point across.
•Talking with someone who you think demonstrates biblical integrity. Find out from them some of their habits and practices that help them maintain this trait.
•Writing about a time in your life when your integrity was tested and what the outcome of that testing was.
•Looking over the life of Daniel and listing all of the traits that demonstrate his biblical integrity. Then, rank these traits in order of importance.
•Committing to ten days of the “Daniel Diet” (Daniel 1), which includes raw foods, nuts (if you are not allergic to them), fruits, and vegetables. After the ten days, determine if, as with Daniel, you feel better physically, spiritually, and mentally.
•Choosing someone you know who recently has displayed a lack of integrity and commit to praying regularly that the Holy Spirit will move upon that person’s heart to change his or her ways.

CONNECT
The Sanctified Life, chapter 2; Education, chapter 7.
Mark D. Rasche, “Biblical Integrity,” http://www.icr.org/article/1773/ (accessed April 2, 2009).