Integrity: What Is It?
Titus 1:1-16
It seems that some people in public circles have a problem with integrity. They have a problem telling the truth. A prominent politician finally came up with the truth after months of deception. The sad fact is that he only told the truth when he was backed into a corner and forced to admit it. I feel compelled - I feel that we have a duty to confront this.
This sends a dangerous signal to the public and especially to our young people. Our leaders are trying to redefine everything to suit their own purposes. He tried to redefine adultery to mean it’s adultery only if it falls within certain subjective guidelines. Now he is redefining honesty to mean, "if you can get around the honest truth with carefully manipulated wording, it’s not lying". Now I have prayer publicly and privately for this individual. I have prayed for good things. But I must take a stand against sin and against evil influence. I am not attacking an individual. I am attacking the sin and the sinful attitude that is being thrust upon god-fearing people.
v. 1 …knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness...
The truth referred to here is, of course, Jesus. He said, "...I am the truth...". But all truth is related, and every form of truth will set men free.
Truth is what is true is real or actual. It seems everybody has his own version or interpretation of the truth. But truth is truth, and in the end truth will prevail. What is, is!
Truth leads to godliness. If you would be godly - if you would honor God - then you must be truthful.
In God there is no shadow - no darkness. God cannot lie, and those who are of God do not lie either. Neither do they shadow the truth so that some of cannot be seen. Deception is devilish because Satan is the deceiver.
verse 2 tells us that …God does not lie...
If you want to be godly, you must not lie. You must not tell lies and you must not live lies. You must not mislead and live deception.
Now, note the requirements of leadership outlined in God’s Word. (These are requirements for church leaders, but should apply to all leaders.)
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
First
we notice that he must be blameless. That is, he must be a man of impeccable character and reputation. A leader must lead straight.Secondly, he must have his family life in order. 1 Timothy 3:11 tells us that even his wife must be respectful. His children should be orderly and obedient.
1Ti 3:11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:4 One that roulette well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Then, in verse 7 he repeats that a leader must be blameless.
Verse 8 says he should be self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
Many leaders are not modeling these qualities today - in or out of the church.
Several years ago, a fallen evangelist made a statement, and Monday night a prominent political figure made the same erroneous statement, "What I do in my private life is nobody’s business but ours." Wrong! Then another statement, "Even presidents have private lives." Wrong again! We know the details of every physical exam he has, every time he goes to the hospital, every time he golfs, when he gets a new pet, what he calls his dog. We know when and where he vacations. There is very little that is left private. That’s the price that comes with the position. In leadership "you are not your own" applies. You have a responsibility in leadership to walk and live above the crowd and to set the example others can follow.
Our leaders lead us - for better or for worse.
I don’t want to glamorize or take unfair advantage of this incident, and yet, there it is, a glaring stain on our society that has gripped everyone’s attention for better or for worse. And so, let us learn from it.
In this we see:
No matter how intelligent one may be, or how powerful – no matter how far one may rise on the ladder of success or authority – man is still fallible. Temptation and sin will strike wherever it can find a foothold. No one is above it. Our only hope is a Savior who can rescue us from temptation and forgive sin.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. (AV)
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. (AV)
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (AV)
B. Secondly, we see the inconsistency of man.
We call for swift and sure truth and justice when it comes to others, but forgiveness and understanding when it comes to ourselves. The tobacco industry, the other evangelist are supposed to ‘come clean’ and pay for their deceptions. But when we are caught, well, we just made a mistake and it’s our own business. Fairness sure takes on a different meaning when it involves self.
Pr 11:1 A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight.
Mt 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (AV)
Millions fell for the lies, and now millions will fall for the excuses. We’ve come to accept more and expect less from our leaders. Over the years I have seen many follow false prophets and false brethren. Then, when they have been exposed, people continue to follow them. Misplaced loyalty and an unhealthy need for security leave people open to be misled again and again.
Mt 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (AV)
Lu 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (AV)
My point here is twofold -
1. Do not follow this example. Do not suppose that if leaders can do it, it’s okay. NO! NO! NO! Wrong is wrong and right is right. Don’t let anybody redefine truth, righteousness, holiness or anything else for you. God has spoken, and regardless what man says or does, truth will remain the truth.
2. Live a life worth following. Remember what Paul said.
"Follow me, as I follow Christ."
We’re on dangerous ground today. We know in the end antichrist will come. And many antichrists have already come, because antichrist means anything that is against Christ.
1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (AV)
We are drifting - no, we are being led farther and farther away from the truth. We’re getting so far from the shore we may not be able to swim back.
But the anchor holds. Jesus is the anchor. He is the rock.
And the church is an anchor - a safe haven in the storm of societal decay.
And good leaders are anchors. They’ll stand strong against the tide of decay and degradation as the world slips into the abyss.
Mark those who lead well.
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (AV)
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (AV)
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (AV)
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God
?) (or a corporation, or a community, or a nation)1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (AV)
Now I ask you today, what do you expect? Most importantly, what do you expect of yourself? Whose example will you follow? And how will you lead others?