1 A Life of Integrity Dont Mess it

1 A Life of Integrity Don’t Mess it Up Jerry E. White, Honesty, Morality and Conscience. (Colorado Springs, CO: Nav. Press, January 1999) Jerry E. White. 52 Rules to Live By. (Colorado Springs, CO: Nav. Press, 2010) Jerry E. White. The Joseph Road: Choices That Determine Your Destiny. (Colorado Springs, CO; Nav. Press. October 2009

3 Mark 12: 13, 14 (NIV) “ Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. ”

4 Mark 12: 14 (NIV) “. . . You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

5 How did they define …. INTEGRITY?

How did they define Integrity? Ø Not swayed by man’s opinion Ø Not partial Ø Teach truth – no compromise 6

Setting the Trap Mark 12: 15 -17 (NIV) “ Should we pay or shouldn't we? " But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me? " he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. " They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription? " "Caesar's, " they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. " And they were amazed at him. ” 7

Integrity in·teg·ri·ty noun in-te-grə-tē Honesty Upright Virtue Righteous Honor Godliness Morality Wholeness Principled Sincerity 8

9 General Omar Bradley “We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. ”

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11 Integrity Is An Issue of: The heart…………………Motive Our actions………………. Example Other’s perceptions……. . Credibility

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13 Steps to Moral Suicide Life is made up of many small ethical decisions. They either: Make big, wrong choices easy Prevent those choices that destroy our lives

15 Steps to Moral Suicide Moral and ethical suicide occurs when: I no longer feel badly when I violate ethical or moral principles I rationalize that there are no absolutes that can tell me how to live

The Goal Acts 24: 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

16 The Focus of Integrity With God With your family With your leaders With your followers

The Currency of Integrity Your word Your lifestyle Your faithfulness and dependability Your motives 17

14 Core Issues of Integrity The inner gauge. . . our conscience The voice of integrity. . . our work The spirit of integrity. . . how we treat people The reputation of integrity. . . credibility, trust, perception

Basic Goals for Ethical Decisions To be a man or woman of integrity To influence our children, and those for whom we are responsible, to live with integrity To influence our peers and our leaders to live and act with integrity 19

Types of Integrity Personal—how I live my private life Professional—how I live my public life They must be CONNECTED!

20 Why People Act Honestly Law Fear Inner Conviction

Where Do Convictions Come From Family background Experience—peers, education Spiritual/religious foundations 21