Character Calling: ConnectedSample

INTENTIONAL INTEGRITY. Our lives, our outward decisions and actions, are an overflow of our heart - who we are on the inside. God created us this way, and the prophet Micah reminds us that God requires his people to do what is right. That means living a life of integrity - being honest and having your intentions, words, and actions be consistent and upright.

Doing what's right is exemplified in the eighth and ninth commandments: You must not steal. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” They address unloving actions that reveal a heart lacking integrity and that break our connections with God and others.

We can steal time from an employer by not doing what we’re getting paid for or by doing other things like talking on the phone, scrolling social media, or browsing the internet.

We can lie about someone or to them or even make them look bad in front of others. We lie to make ourselves look good, look better than others, or to get what we want.

The way of Jesus and his love is to die to ourselves. Jesus’ love doesn’t steal but is generous - giving to others in need. And Jesus’ love doesn’t lie but instead rejoices in the truth because the truth of Jesus sets people free.

Choose today to put God and others first and to be a person of integrity.

Consider: Are you a person of integrity? How does this show itself in your character? Take some time to examine your heart and ask God to show you areas where you need to be more intentional in integrity.