Series in Proverbs - Take a Stand of Integrity

                                        

Take a Stand of Integrity 

Proverbs 11:9-21

In our world today, we should be known by our integrity, our witness to and for God, and its effect by how we act and respond. This lesson is filled with examples of honor and dishonor, and integrity and unrighteousness. So let’s delve into the first portion of the text. “With their words, the godless destroy their friends,  but knowledge will rescue the righteous. The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. A gossip goes around telling secrets,  but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” (NLT)

Solomon knew the value of knowledge and the costliness of integrity, especially with friendships. It wasn’t just with actions that one demonstrated integrity in their lives, but also their words. People without integrity used words that were slanderous, loaded with wrathful anger, and obscenities. Solomon wrote in another proverb “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword…” (Prov. 12:18a), Solomon understood that the person of integrity spoke words of healing and wisdom. It was Integrity that helped to rescue the person with a helpful apt reply of knowledge needed.

 As well, Solomon had seen the use of destructive words of malice and wrath, and when those with vile tongues were removed or died; the people were relieved and replaced the harmful behavior with joyfulness and celebrations. The community or society rejoiced that people of integrity were bringing prosperity, common sense, and order. God’s command to love your neighbor and not belittle them was now the rule and order for the times. No longer were the rumor mills of gossip running the city, but that trustworthy and upright leadership and wise counsel reigned with wisdom, righteousness, and integrity.

Application - It is amazing that the same carnal problems still plague our societies, communities, and country today. The viral sinfulness and wickedness seems to infiltrate the fabric of leadership at many levels in society. But when the people realize the need for integrity, righteousness, and wisdom, they choose leadership whose words build up, expand, and develop a core of integrity. They celebrate the wisdom that would be employed and the prosperity and sensibility of upright citizenry. The command to love God and our neighbor is no longer an ancient adage but a reality and the safety that flows from the acts of integrity and sensible knowledge builds up and develops a sound leadership and community. As Solomon stated, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” (Prov. 11:14 NLT)

Next, Solomon continues with the acts of integrity needed in a godly community, society, or culture. So let’s read the last portion of the text. “There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt. A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Your kindness will reward you,  but your cruelty will destroy you. Evil people get rich for the moment,  but the reward of the godly will last. Godly people find life; evil people find death. The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.” (NLT)

Solomon saw the problems and dilemma of enslavement, indebtedness, and usury. For there were probably many cases of indebtedness that he adjudicated because of improper purchases, bad business practices, as well as personal dealing with neighbors and family. God’s rule on indebtedness and usury were established in the law of Moses. “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.” “Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.” (Ex. 22:25 NIV; Lev. 25:36-37 NIV) 

The person of integrity followed the law and honored God in all his dealings with debt and usury. Solomon underlines the dangers of lending and putting up security for anyone, it was reasonable and safer to not be the guarantor for someone else's debt. 

A woman of integrity and godly character gained respect from the community in her daily duties, whereas the men of the community gained wealth. It was through kindness that a person was rewarded with life and the godliness of character would last a lifetime, whereas the wicked and evil only brought cruelty, destruction, and death. The punishment for unrighteousness and evil behavior also brought depravity that enslaved them while the godly were free to live in security, peace, and safety.

Application - There are many woes to be told about guaranteeing someone else’s debt, co-signing and being left to pay the debt. It is honorable to help those in need and this is an act of integrity, but understand that the liability for co-signing lies in the integrity of the borrower. Wisdom speaks to be insightful when dealing with debt. 

Kindness and gentleness are attributes and fruits of a godly life. Being gracious will garner you respect and friends as a reward, whereas the ruthless and harsh are only in it for the money, it is selfishness that drives the wicked and cruel, and their lives and joy are sporadic and end in heartlessness and no integrity.  

It is in the righteousness and integrity of life that the wise find and use discretion as well as good sense. They are people who can be trusted to hold a confidence. The wise and godly obtain God’s approval and find life, for the Lord God detests crooked hearts and lack of integrity. For it is in integrity that the godly are liberated and may live free from the plague of a sinful and wicked lifestyle that only leads to death.

In closing this lesson, we must be people of integrity for this pleases and delights our Lord God. The wise will flourish and prosper as they use wisdom, and godly knowledge and understanding in life choices. And the other extreme is indebtedness, ruthless associates, and the pursuit of wealth that will flee from them like a devilish mistress. Seek God and live with integrity today, in this you will triumph in a godly life.

As always, I want to conclude by presenting the gospel in the form of the basic principles of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ. For Jesus, God the Son, came into this world to save all who believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you; he is the light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and has given him all authority in heaven and on earth. He will answer you if you truly believe. If you haven't yet asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

First, A: Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a just God, and a change of heart takes place: we change our minds, and God changes our hearts and regenerates us inside and out. Romans 3:10: As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners, so we must be born spiritually to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.) Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death; in other words, our sin means we have been sentenced to death; we have the death penalty hanging over our heads; that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, lest anyone should boast. Secondly,

B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised him from the dead. This is trusting with all your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is righteous, and with the mouth confession is made and is saved. Third,

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every person who sees lThose who have lived since Adam will kneel andthey confessed with hismouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord of lords, and King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: “As I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God.” Don’t wait, do it now. Romans 10:13 - For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “O God, I am a sinner. I repent of my sin. I want to turn away from it. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son; I believe that he died on the cross for my sins, that he was buried, and that you raised him from the dead. I have decided to put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting in his shed blood alone as sufficient to save my soul and take me to heaven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.”

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please visithttp://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In Your Service Mike Davis

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