Walking In Integrity

(Prov 20:23 GNB) The LORD detests double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. Solomon drives home the message of walking in integrity again. There must have really been a problem with unrighteousness and deceitful practices in society during his time, prompting Solomon to concentrate on this so much.

Like they say, 'the more things change, the more they stay the same,' because unrighteous practices are as rampant today as they ever were. And the unfortunate reality is that unrighteous practices seem to be as commonplace among believers as among non-believers.

Solomon knew that unscrupulous vendors had two sets of scales - one to get more when they were buying, and the other to give less when they were selling - but his point was that the followers of God should be different. If there is no difference between the world and the church, then how will we ever reach anyone? How can we shine as light in the midst of darkness if we accept darkness as the norm?

We live in a society today where we have accepted anything and everything under the guise of political-correctness. No one wants to say that anyone else is wrong. Statements like: "Who are we to say that anyone else is wrong?" and "To each his own," have driven us towards an anything goes society. But God's Word is still the truth and the truth doesn't change.

The Message Bible paraphrase of this reads: "GOD hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage." The words "hate" and "outrage" are strong words, but those are the types of words God associates with unrighteous practices. If we are going to be called by His name, then we should exhibit His characteristics. In Leviticus, the Lord said through Moses: "You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Lev 11:44). This is not a suggestion, this is a commandment. There should be something clearly different between the way you do business and the way others, with unscrupulous practices, do business. People should know that your yes means "YES," and your word is your bond.

Nothing so completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity himself, than straightforward and simple integrity in another. People will notice when you refuse to fudge a few extra dollars on your expense report. Others will note the way you always seek to do what is right, because it's right, and how you then seek to do it right. That's how you shine as light in the midst of darkness.

In the New Testament Paul said, "Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done... How can light and darkness live together? How can Christ and the Devil agree?... And so the Lord says, "You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you. I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2nd Cor 6:14-18).

So what does this mean to you? It means that God expects you to be different. I know this may not be popular teaching today. Actually, many preachers don't even mention sin anymore, because they don't want to upset their congregants. But God's Word is still true and it is still the standard. While God loves the sinner, He still hates the sin and He expects us, as His children, to walk in the righteousness Christ Jesus died to give us. So be holy, because our God is holy. Don't do anything that would discredit His name, even when you think no one else is looking, because God is always looking!

Father, I thank You for Your standard. Your Word is true and it is the ruler by which I judge my decisions. Christ Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sin and His blood makes me righteous. I declare, by faith, that I will walk in the righteousness Christ Jesus died to give me. I walk in the newness of life. I no longer participate in the unrighteous practices of the world. I am different. I am light and I shine I the midst of darkness. I do what's right, because it's right, even when no one else is looking. In Jesus' name. Amen!