FORGED 1

7/27/2008
Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV)
"He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known."
First of all, let us define the word integrity. The first thing that pops in most people’s mind concerning integrity is honesty. Although honesty may be an important ingredient when it comes to integrity; honesty is not integrity in and of itself.
For instance, we can be honest with our opinion, yet if our attitude stinks concerning our opinion; our integrity can stink as bad as our opinion. According to the American Heritage Dictionary integrity is:
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
Our first definition here, a “steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code,” sets the standard that integrity is making our choices based upon that which we have determined as being our core values concerning what we believe is ethical and right. However, if our values are twisted then our integrity can be twisted concerning biblical truth.
Our next definition, “the state of being unimpaired; soundness,” once again, if our values are twisted; no matter how unimpaired we may be to act out our values, our integrity can also be twisted concerning biblical truth.
Our last definition, “the quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness;” likewise, if we can make decisions with sure soundness; yet, if our values are twisted, our integrity can be twisted concerning biblical truth.
As with honesty, integrity in and of itself cannot determine our righteousness; integrity can be as evil as evil itself if not aliened with scriptural truth. Therefore, undefiled integrity is the ability to change our course when enlightened with biblical truth; spiritual integrity undefiled is the ability to make paradigm shifts based upon truth revealed.
The strength of steel is determined by its integrity and that integrity is measured by its freedom of impurities and ingredients that compromise its strength. In the melting pot where steel is made; the ability to endure the extreme heat determines its integrity. Likewise, our integrity is only as strong as our purity, and our purity is as strong as our ability to endure the extreme heat of the sanctifying source producing that purity.
I need more integrity; LORD continue to burn in me.