Please Behave

By Andrea Merrell

 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.

O when wilt thou come unto me?

I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Psalm 101:2 KJV 

 

“Can you just please behave?”

We all say that to our kids. Once when I said it to one of my granddaughters, I heard this in my spirit: Can you?

David said, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way … I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Those are some powerful words: behave, wisely, perfect. Does God really expect perfection?

Let’s break the verse down a little. The NLT says, “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” Integrity. That’s our key. It simply means doing what’s right even when no one else is looking or will ever know—except, of course, God.

We’re not expected to be perfect, but as we grow and mature, we are warned to stay away from:

• Looking at things that are vile and vulgar
• Dishonest people
• Perverse/evil people and ideas
• Those who gossip and slander
• Conceit and pride

It’s easy to get caught up in these ungodly behaviors, especially when we’re alone, thinking we’re hurting no one. But the truth is we hurt ourselves. And we hurt God.

When we allow ourselves to entertain and dwell on behaviors such as these, we fill our heart and mind with perversity. Sin is seductive. It lures us in, promising pleasure. But the Bible tells us that sin’s pleasure is fleeting and temporary (Hebrews 11:25). Then it drops us, leaving us empty and unfulfilled, riddled with guilt and shame.

How do we overcome? By submitting ourselves to God and inviting Holy Spirit to guard our mind and heart. The best solution is found in Philippians 4:8: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (NLT).

That's how we learn to behave.

  

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Clare Bloomfield.)

TWEETABLE

God does not expect perfection, He expects integrity—doing what’s right even when no one is looking. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

 

 

Have We Lost Our Integrity?

By Andrea Merrell

We see it everywhere we turn—the workplace, the government, and even in the church—a loss of integrity, of doing the right thing even when no one is watching or giving us credit for our actions.

I think we would all agree our society is spiraling downward at an alarming rate. There are no moral absolutes, and it’s hard to know who we can trust or depend on. People are encouraged to be free thinkers and do whatever feels right—to them. Ungodly people make the rules, and we’re supposed to blindly follow … no questions asked.

But we should ask. And here’s the big question: What does God say?

This is what Psalm 119:1-8 tells us in the Message:

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
    I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
    don’t ever walk off and leave me.

The only way to walk in integrity is to have a standard, and that standard is God’s holy, unchangeable, living Word.  It's infallible, forever settled in heaven, and the only source of truth. 

Why not make it your daily go-to guidebook.

Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Pazham/StuartMiles.)

TWEETABLES

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching or giving us credit for our actions. (Click to Tweet.)

The only way to walk in integrity is to live by God’s holy, unchangeable, living Word. (Click to Tweet.)

To read in browser, click here.