Integrity #4 — Stabilizing Integrity

Equip the saints for the work of service, namely, the building up of the body of Christ until we all attain to the same unity of faith and knowledge as the Son of God—to maturity, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ—so we won’t be … tossed about by every wind of doctrine devised by clever men. Ephesians 4:12–13

Integrity is not just “walking the talk.” It is being strong enough internally to stay on the path. Pilots use radio guidance systems and autopilots to keep them on course so they won’t wander around among the clouds. Surgeons draw lines on the skin and read the tissue planes so they can cut exactly where they should. Similarly, Christians must encourage one another to attain spiritual integrity, which is when  faith and knowledge are unified in our hearts. When we trust God according to how much we know of God, we have integrity—internal unity: This is maturity. Jesus lived this way; and it is his intent that we live this way as well. So this unity should be our goal as we minister to one another in his name. One of the primary benefits of such integrity is the ability to sail through cleverly devised but inaccurate teaching without being capsized. God’s promise to us when we gain this integrity is stability of heart and mind.

Father, in knowing Jesus, I know you are wise, powerful, righteous, loving, faithful, good, truthful, gracious, merciful, patient, & forgiving. Unite my faith to this knowledge. Amen.