Proverbs 2:6-8 tells us this: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.”
When we are living in uprightness, we gain wisdom from God and He rewards our commitment to live out His desires. This verse also says He will “shield” us when we live in righteousness. We all need that “shield” to protect us from temptation and even from our own selfish desires. I certainly want that holy shield safeguarding my life.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience.”
I think that’s a great statement. He’s saying we should not worry about achieving fame and fortune, but rather we need to be consumed with living Christ-like lives that allow us to have productive ministries within our families, our communities and our churches. When we do that, we are pleasing God and our conscience is clear.
Finally, if you want to be a productive witness for Christ, you must live with integrity. Our message becomes powerless when we are not living uprightly. There is so much hypocrisy in our world. God’s people must show others that we are different because of Jesus.
As Titus 2:7-8 tells us, “… in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” God bless you, my friends, as you strive to live out this “pattern of good works.”
Your friend in Christ,
Jonathan Falwell