Discipleship/character development series. Part 2.

In part 1 of this message, We discussed on discipleship, understudying the principles and the person of Jesus. We talk about humility,  endurance, faithfulness etc.   Today we will continue on the same topic but we will be focusing on how to cultivate integrity.

Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and of always having high moral principles. 

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 2:3 KJV.

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

Job 2:3 NLT.

Things you need to know about cultivating integrity. 

1.Anytime a believer is found in a fault, Christianity is set backwards.

2. Take care of small things as they show up, don't wait until they are out of control. 

3. Say no to  temptation and say it  quickly. 

4.your word is you, so make sure you keep your word. It is the easiest and hardest thing to do. 

5.Do not separate your private from your public life. 

6. Keep clear conscience always,

7. Bear in mind that anointing without character stinks.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NLT.

Integrity is built and developed  by defeating temptations and dishonesty. 

Character development always involve making a choice and temptation provides that opportunity. 

God develops the fruits of the spirit in our lives by allowing the exact opposite quality. 

God teaches us love by putting some unlovely people around us. 

He teaches us joy in the midst of sorrow, chaos, confusion, worry and fear. 

God uses the opposite fruit to train us.  

You can't claim to be good if you have never be tempted to be bad. 

Faithfulness/unfaithfulness

Humility /pride

Endurance/impatience

Anytime you defeat a temptation you are becoming like Jesus.

God depends more on circumstances to transform us to men and women of integrity than He depends on us reading the bible. 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 KJV.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 4:12‭-‬13 KJV.

God uses troublemes(troubles and problems combined) to draw us closer to Himself and to build us up in order to face the challenges ahead. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 34:19 KJV.

God could have kept Joseph out of prison , Jeremiah out of the slummy pit, Daniel out of the lions den, the three Hebrew children out of the burning furnace and you from what you are going through now.

But He did not, He allowed them to pass through it so that they will be prepared for future assignments. The same way He is preparing you for an assignment in future. 

Troubles and challenges forces us to look on to God and depend on Him instead of  ourselves. 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬10 NLT.

You never know that God is all you need until God is all you have. 

God's intention for us is for good, though Satan mean it for bad. In fact troubles and challenges and designed to make us better not bitter. 

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Genesis 50:19‭-‬20 NLT. 

In conclusion, we can see that becoming a man or woman of integrity is not a day job,  it is a continuous training and retraining of the mind and body, facing troubles and challenges that seems difficult for us to handle but because our master knows that we will be stronger and faithful when the dust settles. So becoming a disciple of Jesus requires a lot of discipline, endurance and commitment. 

I have done my part,  the ball is your court. You know what to do, in case you don't know what to do, then ask questions and you will be taught. 

God bless you all. See you some other time. 

Enjoy your time in the presence of God.