What does the Bible say about integrity?
So I’m asking that you give me the hill country which the Lord promised me. You will remember that as spies we found the Anakim living there in great, walled cities, but if the Lord is with me I shall drive them out of the land. (Joshua 14:12 , tlb)
The Bible says Caleb and Joshua gave a good report whereas the majority gave a negative report not to enter the land God had pledged. Forty-five years later he would receive his land. God was and still is honored. The people were challenged and saw miracles. Amazing how God keeping His Word affects the person or persons immediately involved but also those around the work of God also.
“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. ” Samuel Johnson
Five characteristics outline Caleb’s life and please remember anyone could be as faithful as Caleb and find a beautiful Christian life. Before we go further let us examine five characteristics in Caleb’s life.
1. Right Start – Starting is important but starting right is most important.
2. Resisted the majority – he believed God.
3. God promised land and forty-five years later He would deliver. (Numbers 14:24 ; Deuteronomy 1:34-36 ).
The integrity with which he had boldly contradicted the cowardly advice of the ten spies years before was as strong as ever. Although his inherited land still had giants, Caleb knew the Lord would help him conquer them.
Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with him, but through our entire lives. We must never allow ourself to rest on our past accomplishments or reputations.
4. His faith was seen in: His Words – “Surely if the Lord is with me.”
5. His faith was seen in His Works – “If the Lord is with me I will drive them out of the land.” I will drive them out just as the Lord has said. His faith of forty-five years had not wavered nor weakened.
Caleb wanted to make his pledge but may have not known all he would face. However, he would face them anyway and simply believe God. A man of integrity can do nothing else. Once a child of God has pledged he can not turn to the right or left.
“There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity.” Tom Peters
Finish your course and never turn back. Your destination has been assigned, you may not know all you would like to know but it has been and is still settled. If your INTEGRITY is as it should be there will be no recourse.
GET GOING FOR GOD! The Giants may be bigger than us but my friend THEY ARE NOT BIGGER THAN GOD!!!!!!