Integrity

TEXT:  Psa. 26

INTRODUCTION:

A. A WORD RARELY USED – MISUNDERSTOOD.

B. INTEGRITY IS NOT IMPORTANT TO MANY.

tom ; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence: (Strong's Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.)

Tamam sometimes expresses moral and ethical "soundness" (Vine's Dictionary)

integrity, completeness  ( Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon.)

Integrity:  “The quality or state of being of sound moral principle;  uprightness, honesty, and sincerity” (Webster) –implies an incorruptible soundness of moral character, esp. as displayed in fulfilling trusts [elect men of integrity].

C.      MORAL INNOCENCE, MORAL AND ETHICAL SOUNDNESS COMPLETENESS.

1.       Uprightness – righteousness.

2.       Honesty, - sincerity implies consistency of life with beliefs and profession.

3.       Hypocrisy is in opposition – so is moral weakness.

D.      OUR PSALM HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT INTEGRITY.

INTEGRITY INVOLVES:

I.     TRUST WITHOUT WAVERING (vs. 1).

A. OUR RELIGION IS “FAITH-BASED.”

1.       Hebrews 11:6 è Belief that he is and he is a rewarder (2 Tim. 2:11-13).

2.       Our motivation (2 Cor. 5:7 è vs. 1).

B. WHAT IS BELIEVED IS AS IMPORTANT AS BELIEVING IT.

1.       Salvation is in belief of the truth (2 Thess. 2:13).

2.       Our doctrine is called “the faith” (Jude 3).

C. INTEGRITY DEMANDS THAT WE DO NOT WAVER IN OUR FAITH:

1.       By disbelief.

a.       There is plenty of evidence (Rom. 10:17;  John 20:30-31).

b.      But there is plenty of distraction (Matt. 13:22).

2.       By acting inconsistently with what we believe (Phil. 1:27;  Prov. 23:23).

II.    OPENNESS TO JUDGMENT (vs. 2).

A. GOD WILL JUDGE US IN THE END (2 Cor. 5:10).

1.       Judgment will determine destiny (Matt. 25:46).

2.       Jesus will be the standard (Acts 17:30-31).

B. GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS NOW.

1.       We want God to see the innocence of our hearts (Psa. 139:23-24).

2.       We need to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5).

III.   OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH (vs. 3).

A. HE KNOWS THE GIFT OF MERCY GOD GIVES.

1.       Every good gift – constant true (James 1:17).

2.       Salvation (Rom. 5:8;  1 John 4:9-10).

B. THAT KNOWLEDGE COMPELLS HIM TO WALK IN GOD’S TRUTH.

1.       Truth is the summation of God’s word (Psa. 119:142, 151, 160).

2.       Walking involves the way we live – obedience (Rom. 2:4;  2 Cor. 5:14-15).

IV.   NO FELLOWSHIP WITH EVILDOERS (vs. 4-5).

A.      DAVID IS ESPECIALLY CONSCIOUS OF THE DANGER AND SHAME INVOLVED IN FELLOWSHIPPING EVIL AND ERROR (Psa. 1:1-2)

B.      BEWARE THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES! (Matt. 16:11-12;  Gal. 5:7-9).

C.      WE MUST DISAPPROVE OF AND DISAVOW SIN AND FALSEHOOD (Psa. 119:104;  Eph. 5:11;  Rom. 16:17-18).

V.    VALUE OF THINGS HOLY (vs. 6-8).

A. I LOVE THE HABITATION OF THY HOUSE (vs. 8;  Matt. 6:19-21, 33;  13:44-46).

B. I WILL WASH MY HANDS (vs. 6).

1.       I am going to clean up my life (2 Cor. 7:1;  1 John 1:6-7).

2.       I will prepare myself for service (2 Tim. 2:19-21;  Heb. 12:28-29).

C. ONLY SO CAN WE BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS (vs. 7;  Matt. 5:14-16;  1 Pet. 2:11-12).

VI.  A DESIRE FOR JUSTIFICATION (vs. 9-10).

A. IT IS A FEARFUL THING (Heb. 10:31;  Matt. 10:28).

B. DAVID HUNGERED FOR JUSTIFICATION (Matt. 5:6;  Psa. 51:7-12).

C. THERE IS BLESSEDNESS IN FORGIVENESS (Psa. 32:1-2;  Rom. 6:21).

VII.  DETERMINATION TO DO RIGHT (vs. 11).

A. BEING RIGHT WITH GOD REQUIRES COMMITMENT

1.       Jesus as an example (1 Pet. 2:21-23;  4:19)

2.       He won’t guard that which is not committed (2 Tim. 1:12).

B.      RIGHT IS FOUND IN GOD’S WORD (John 8:12;  Psa. 19:9;  119:105, 137-138, 142, 144).

C. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

CONCLUSION:

A.      AN EVEN PLACE – LEVEL GROUND WHERE ONE MIGHT STAND CONFIDENTLY.

B.      HE WILL PROCLAIM HIS GRATITUDE IN PRAISE OF THE FATHER.