If there is one thing this world needs more of, it’s the people of God walking in integrity. All over the news and in our communities, we constantly hear of people who call themselves Christians and even Ministry leaders who have failed to have integrity and have fallen into some destructive sin. This causes the world to call us Hypocrites because we say we are saved from sin and preach and talk against it, and then we fall right back into it. But what if there was a way to safeguard our lives and walk with integrity? What if there was a great list of things that we could do to keep our integrity?

Enter Psalm 101…
I love this Psalm because it is just that! A list made by a King trying to walk in integrity. Psalm 101 is a Psalm of David. Most put this Psalm as written early on in David’s time as king of Israel. We know David had a heart after God, and this Psalm is another reflection of that. This Psalm really reads like a mantra to live by, and honestly, I would say it should be!

Here it is:
Psalms 101:2-8 I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

Notice what’s in here. Integrity in the home. Watching who you do business with. Guarding what you look at. Staying away from gossip. Keeping purity in thought and action. Guarding against pride. Looking for good people of integrity to be friends with. Working with people who have integrity. And helping people get out of the grips of evil people. Now, it’s true, this list as a king looks different than this list as a Columbia County Citizen, but there is a lot here we can relate to and implement. I love it when God’s Word is just straight-up practical!

This week, I want to encourage you to take the challenge of walking with integrity seriously. These are great charges to live by! Just think, had David stuck with this plan, other things might not have taken place in his life. This is a solid plan and challenge to live by found right there in the middle of our Bibles!

Striving to walk in integrity with you,
Pastor Mike