
In the beatitudes Jesus gives the assurance that the pure in heart shall see God. True Christianity lies in the purity of heart. A pure-hearted person is one whose motives are unmixed, whose thoughts are closely guarded and, whose conscience is clean. This person is single-minded in commitment to the kingdom of God and is living a life of integrity.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PURE IN HEART:
1. It doesn’t mean we are sinless or perfect.
2. It means to walk with integrity with the qualities of:
- Wholeness.
- Authenticity.
- Unmixed motivation.
THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY:
1. Integrity provides me with protection. (less fear)
May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. - Psa. 25:21
By this I know that You are well pleased with me because my enemy does not triumph over me. As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever. - Psa. 41:11,12
2. Integrity provides me with security. (greater confidence)
He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. - Prov. 10:9
3. Integrity provides me with guidance. (better decision)
The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. - Prov. 11:3
4. Integrity provides me with hope. (future rewards)
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold. - Prov. 22:1
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. - Prov. 28:6
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them. - Prov. 20:7
HOW TO BUILD INTEGRITY INTO YOUR LIFE:
1. Choose the right source for your moral and ethical code.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. - Col. 2:6-8
2. Act on what you have chosen.
And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. - James 1:22
Integrity can be measured by:
- Keeping your word - Prov. 25:14.
- Paying your bills on time. Psalm 37:21
- Faithfully tithing. Mal. 3:8-10
- Controlling your tongue, this includes foul language and refusing to gossip. James 1:26, Prov. 11:13
- Doing your best at work. Prov. 18:9, Eph. 6:6
- Correcting your mistakes. Luke 19:8,9
- Giving credit where credit is due. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
- Being authentic. 2 Cor. 4:2
- Overcoming evil with good. Rom. 12:21
- Admitting your faults to God and others. James 5:16
3. Surround yourself with people of integrity.
As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend. – Prov. 27:17
Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Cor. 15:33
4. Cultivate an intimate relationship with the author of your source.
Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. – Eph. 5:25b,26 NLT
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:7,8 NKJV