The church you have always wanted has people who have integrity
A negative example of integrity – Acts 5:1-11
A. Ananias was greedy
But a certain man, Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
B. Ananias was deceitful
Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Spirit, and to keep back some of the price? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? After it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it you have conceived this deed? You have not lied to men, but to God.
C. Sapphira was deceitful
As he heard these words, Ananias breathed his last; and great dread came upon all who heard of it. The young men buried him. Now there elapsed about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?’ She said ‘Yes’. Then Peter said to her, ‘Why is it you have agreed together to put the Spirit to the test? The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out as well.’ She breathed her last; and the young men found her dead and buried her beside her husband.
A biblical path to honesty
A. Realize you will get caught
B. Think of the consequences
The man of integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
C. Admit it when you do sin
A man can build a good reputation for honesty by admitting he was in error. -Robert Ruack
D. Refuse to accept dishonesty from others
E. Recognize how important honesty is to God!
God is not a man that He should lie. Numbers 23:19
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth” thirty-three times in the book of Matthew
F. Do commit yourself to the God of truth
I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6
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