'FRUIT OF INTEGRITY



FRUIT OF GOODNESS/INTEGRITY

Galatians 5:22-23

Fruit Of The Spirit Message Series

May 22, 2016

Pastor Nathan J. Thompson

This morning we continue the series, “Fruit Of The Spirit,” by focusing on the fruit of goodness (the fruit of integrity as some translations say.)

Please note that this word integrity comes from the word “integrate;” it reminds us that integrity is the ability to integrate the values of our hearts into our daily actions. It is that deep spiritual feeling that you get when you know that what you are doing is right, good, true and honest; that is integrity.

An important truth to remember is that you don’t just slip into integrity. No one ever said, “Oops, I just fell into integrity; I somehow magically became a person of integrity.” Rather it is something you decide and commit to do for yourself. Therefore this morning we’re going to talk about how to decide; how to build a life of goodness and integrity.

A huge problem with this is that there is often a major gap between one's heart values and one's daily actions. Gallop Research did a poll some years ago which said that the number one problem Americans face is incongruent values. We say we don't want to be materialistic yet we then try to justify (rationalize) all the stuff we feel we need to buy.

We say we really want to spend lots of time with our kids; we emphasize that this is an important value for us yet in our actions we barely find (or take) the time. We say having loving conversations and spending quality time with my spouse is of utmost value; yet we sometimes go weeks not having those kinds of talks; we rarely spend that kind of important time together.

If you are one who often lives in this gap like I do, I want to reassure you that you are not alone. Many of the greatest people and leaders of all time have often struggled with this. In fact the Apostle Paul himself says in Romans 7:19-20, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.”

Now most of the time when we talk about integrity we focus in on people in business; finance; on politicians. However this morning I will talk about our own personal integrity—integrity in our families; among our friends; in our Christian relationships.

Yet how do you do that? What are some practical things that you can do to practice integrity? The first practical thing is to speak honestly. Mark Twain said one time that speaking honestly takes a lot of stress out of life: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” You don’t need to work hard trying to keep your story straight.

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:15, “Speak the truth in a spirit of love.” Some people, unfortunately, speak the truth in a way that destroys others rather than builds up a relationship. It is important to speak honestly; yet do it in a spirit of love.

It is here, however, that we often face a major gap. Most all of us I'm sure value the idea that we should tell the truth; that “honesty is the best policy.” Yet a recent survey found that 91% of all Americans lie.

We may firmly believe this value deep in our hearts yet there are times we just don’t tell the truth (at least the whole truth.) Lots of people seem to believe that little white lies (half truths; attempts to innocently say we didn't know the truth) are somehow okay.

It is true that sometimes we are afraid of what may happen if we do tell the truth. If I tell the truth at work, I may get fired. If I tell the truth with my friends they may not like me anymore. If I tell my spouse the honest truth we’re destined to get into a big argument together. Therefore I’ll just keep my mouth shut; I'll just simply keep it to myself.

However there is a tremendous risk in not telling the truth. If you’re struggling with a relationship you need to ask God to give you the courage to tell the truth. Honesty is a part of integrity in our relationships; it is integrity that strengthens a relationship. Honesty is a great gift; a great heritage to pass onto to our kids and to others. Ask God to give you the courage to be a person of integrity who tells the truth.

The second way you can practice goodness and integrity is to confess regularly; admit when you’re wrong. I read recently a little poem by Ogden Nash, “To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup; When you’re wrong admit it, And when you’re right, shut up.”

Both of these are so important. When you’re wrong admit it; admit it to the people you are in relationship with. James 5:16 says, “Admit your faults to each other and pray for each other.” In order to restore your relationships you need to openly share with others what exactly has happened. It is not enough to simply ask God for forgiveness.

Are you able to admit to your spouse; to your children; to a friend; to a co-worker that you simply blew it? Can you admit that you were totally out of line; that you failed miserably. Some feel doing this is a sign of weakness, especially to their kids. However this is a very healthy part of relationships because it acknowledges that we are all sinners who make mistakes.

I read a story one time by Ernest Hemingway. He talked about a father and son who moved to Madrid together. Somehow they began to grow apart. The son eventually ran away from home and joined the thousands of young boys who were running in the streets at that time. The father couldn’t find his son; he looked, searched, asked his friends.

Finally in desperation he took out an advertisement in the Madrid daily newspaper. “Paco, please come home. I’m desperately wanting to see you. If you want to see me, meet me in front of the newspaper office tomorrow morning. All is forgiven. Dad.” The next morning the father went down to find 800 young boys in front of the newspaper office (all named Paco).

If you and I could really understand this; if we could freely admit when we are wrong it would open the floodgates of new fresh joy in our relationships. Being honest and finding forgiveness is often a barrier that is keeping many of our relationships from working. Integrity is asking God to help me let go of my feelings of defensiveness; to help me admit when I’m wrong.

Also if you want to be a forgiving person it is important that you first of all know what it is to be completely forgiven. When you recognize and receive God’s amazing grace and forgiveness in you, it is then that you will be able to admit the truth that we all sin and make mistakes; it is then that you will be able to openly admit when you are wrong.

The third way you can practice goodness and integrity is to live consistently. The opposite of consistency is hypocrisy. Have you ever discovered how easy it is to pretend? Now it is true that you may be able to hide your hypocrisy at work; church; through volunteering in the community. However it is much harder to hide it at home where people really know you.

This consistency, of course, has to do with your public verses you private image. Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.” Jesus is talking here about motivation. He is saying that we should not do things simply to impress others; rather we are to live the same way at home and in public.

This consistency also has to do with your words verses your actions. I hope you’ve never said, “Do as I say, not as I do.” You need to always realize that your words most often aren’t contagious, yet your lifestyle can be. If your life is filled with hypocrisy (inconsistency) those closest to you are going to want to run from you like the plague. We all hate hypocrisy.

As you struggle to be consistent with your words and actions I hope you want people to say about you, “what you see is what you get.” A consistent life can develop in your relationships a depth of love and respect that you never dreamed was possible. Believe me, consistency blesses your life; it blesses the lives of everyone around you.

The fourth way you can practice goodness and integrity is to commit openly. This means to make up your mind in advance that you want to be a person of integrity; then tell someone about your commitment. We all need some people in our lives that we can tell about our intentions; our commitments; people who will help us be accountable to them.

The reason some of us are not growing deeper in our faith (in the power of the Holy Spirit) is because we have never told someone about our commitment. We may have never committed ourselves to a small group of trusted Christian friends.

We have never stepped out in faith and joined a Bible study; have never committed ourselves to regular giving; have never reached out in regular service/compassion for someone else. We need all of these ways to grow spiritually.

It is when we commit ourselves to more than just weekly worship; it is when we discover ways to plant our seeds and roots of faith in the rich soil of God’s Spirit; it is then that the Spirit-fruit of goodness and integrity will bubble over and flow out in us to others. It is then that we can shine forth a life of consistency; values; love in God’s Spirit.

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