Walking with Integrity in a World Full of Offers
By Dean Collins
How many times have you been offered a great deal? Probably more than you can count. There are some great deals that are offered by honest people trying to make an honest living. The “buy one get one free” offer at your local grocery store may be a great offer if you need the item being offered. But that extended warranty offer on nearly every electronic device or car might be worth a careful assessment.
Reading Paul’s words in 1 Timothy chapter 6 alongside David’s words in Psalm 26 warns us that the desire to be rich is a real and strong temptation for everyone. And the only way to navigate life is to walk in integrity and stand firmly on level ground, being fully aware that there are many whose motives are not aligned with God’s heart or purposes.
In Psalm 26, the psalmist isn’t claiming to be perfect or sinless. He is stating that with a clear conscious, he can say he has and is trusting God to provide. He also makes clear that one way he protects himself from greed, pride, and other temptations is by making a firm choice on who he hangs around with whom he listens to.
One of the great truths of this psalm is not simply avoiding the bad actors of life. We must simultaneously make a decision as to where we will plant our feet. We must choice who we will partner with for both the smallest and biggest decisions we face on our journey toward spiritual maturity. David chose to place his feet on a firm foundation in the Lord.
There are people who present themselves as caring, listening, and wanting to help when secretly, their motive is to gain advantage and at their root, they crave to be rich, powerful, and influential or possibly all three. The truth is that as followers of Christ, we are both warned about these people and sent into spaces where we must navigate the dangers without falling for their tricks. Jesus said it this way:
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
The odds on paper do not favor a sheep versus wolves match up. But we must remember that Jesus would not have sent us into these spaces without a way to navigate the dangers. So how do we obediently follow Jesus in these seemingly dangerous places?
1) Remember we have a shepherd. Read and remember the promises of Psalm 23 and John 10. Clearly, we are never alone when we obey Jesus.
2) All of scripture teaches us that wisdom from above is available any and every moment and every time we ask for it.
3) We can maintain our integrity by dwelling and centering our lives in the Lord.
There will always be temptation to run with the wolves and enjoy the spoils. But Jesus told us that we do not need to fear or worry that he would provide for our needs. Read Matthew 6. God sees our needs, loves us as his highest creation, and will never let us be overrun by the wolves, even the cleverly disguised ones.
Father, thank you for the wisdom and protection that comes from above. Thank you for being our Shepherd who leads us right through the dangers and into places of rest and refreshment. Today we will go where you send us with confidence and in peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 26:1-12; 1 Timothy 6:9-12; Matthew 10:16 ESV
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