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September 28-29, 2002 INTEGRITY
– WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW! Selected LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE! *** 1 Chron. 29:17 “I know, my
God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.” [New Living Translation] ***. Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth
and do not sell it….” [New International Version] HOW CAN WE PRACTICE THE PRINCIPLE OF HONESTY? 1. RECOGNIZING THE SOURCE OF DISHONESTY! *** John 8:44 “Your father is the
devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a…liar. There is
nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a
lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.” [Contemporary English Version] $ SATAN MODELS
THE LIE BUT CAN’T MAKE US LIE! A. THE CRUEL
LIE! $
MOTIVATION: TO HURT! B. THE COWARDLY
LIE! $ MOTIVATION:
FEAR! C. THE CONCEITED
LIE! $
MOTIVATION: INSECURITY! D. THE CALCULATED
LIE! “A HALF
TRUTH IS A WHOLE LIE!” $ MOTIVATION:
MANIPULATION! E. THE CONVENIENT
LIE! $ MOTIVATION: LAZINESS! 2. REALIZING THE REWARDS OF HONESTY! *** Proverbs 12:22 “God can't
stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.” [The Message] *** Proverbs 6:16-17 “There are
six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a
lying tongue….” [NIV] $
LYING IS COMPLETELY CONTRARY TO GOD’S NATURE! *** Hebrews 6:18 “These two things
cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when
he makes an oath.” [New Century Version] *** Proverbs 11:1 “The Lord hates
cheating, but he delights in honesty.”
[NLT] *** Proverbs 11:20 “The Lord hates
people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity.” [NLT] *** Proverbs 20:23 “The Lord
loathes all cheating and dishonesty.”
[Living Bible] A. HONESTY GIVES DIRECTION! *** Proverbs 11:3 “Good people are
guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.” [NLT] *** Proverbs 11:5 “The godly are
directed by their honesty….” [NLT] $ SPIRITUAL
ETHICS NOT SITUATIONAL ETHICS! B. HONESTY GIVES PROTECTION! *** Proverbs 13:6 “Doing what is
right protects the honest person….” [NCV] *** Proverbs 2:7 “He is their
shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.” *** Proverbs 11:6 “Honesty can
keep you safe, but if you can't be trusted, you trap yourself.” [CEV] *** Ps. 25:21 “May integrity and
honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.” C. HONESTY BRINGS RESPECT! *** Proverbs 16:13 “Kings like
honest people; they value someone who speaks the truth.” [New Century Version] $
DON’T TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO HEAR, TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO KNOW! *** Proverbs 21:28 “No one
believes a liar, but everyone respects the words of an honest man.” [Living] D. HONESTY BUILDS A HOME! *** Psalm 101:2 “I will be careful
to live a blameless life — I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.”
[NLT] *** Job 8:6 “If you are pure and
live with complete integrity, God will rise up and restore your happy home.” [NLT] *** Proverbs 20:7 “The godly walk
with integrity; blessed are their children after them.” [NLT] E. HONESTY BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS! *** Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies
about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows.” [CEV] 2. Have you ever been hurt by a
friend…no wound as painful…! *** Proverbs 25:13 “Reliable
friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering
heat—refreshing!” [Msg] 3. DETERMINING TO LIVE IN HONESTY! q HONESTY WITH OUR WORDS! *** Pr. 12:22 “The Lord detests
lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” $ HONESTY
IN OUR PERSONAL WORLD! q HONESTY IN OUR WITNESS! *** Pr.12:17 “A good man is known
by his truthfulness; a false man by deceit…..” $
HONESTY IN OUR PROFESSIONAL WORLD! q HONESTY WITH OUR WEALTH! *** Pr. 20:23 “The Lord hates
dishonest scales and dishonest weights. So don't cheat!” *** Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest
money dwindles away….” [NIV] *** Pr. 21:6 “Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a
mist….” [NCV] $ HONESTY
IN OUR PRIVATE WORLD! “Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1 [NLT] |