Challenges of Integrity -- part 3
Let’s continue in today's entry with a few more scriptural examples of integrity in the lives of men and women in God’s Word. I love how these “real life” examples bring home the importance that God places on integrity in the lives of His people.
The unnamed prophet that visits King Jeroboam: We find his story in 1 Kings 13: 1-26 where we read that this prophet was sent to deliver a high-level Word of the Lord to the king. The word: Three hundred years in the future, Josiah (named in the prophecy) would destroy this altar in Israel where the king was now offering sacrifice. (v. 2)
The prophet was instructed by God to deliver the Word and return by the same way that he came, not eating or drinking with anyone. (v. 8-9) He refused to eat or drink with the king and went on his way. But he met another man who lied to him, saying he was a prophet and that an angel had told him to bring the prophet to his home to eat and drink.
While eating and drinking, another Word comes forth saying the prophet had not obeyed the original word of the Lord to return without eating or drinking. Therefore he will not return to the home of his fathers: i.e., he’s going to be killed for this disobedience! (vs. 20-21) Scripture reveals he is killed by a lion and his body is left along the road for all to see. (vs. 24)
The “prophet” that had persuaded him to drink and eat then declares for all to hear, “It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the Word of the Lord . . . "
What can we learn from this passage? We recognize that our integrity can continually be tested, always challenged. The prophet refused to eat or drink with the king, but when the “so called prophet” said an angel declared he did not have to fulfill his original command, he changes his obedience immediately in complete disobedience to his original word.
In other words, he failed the “long run” test, the “finish the assignment” challenge. Even though the word was delivered, the integrity of the prophet was still being tested by his fulfillment of ALL he was commanded by God.
Does the consequence of his lack of integrity in this passage seem extreme to you? We must realize that we will never know how valuable or important our continual walk of integrity is. Therefore, everything we say and do must be based in integrity.
God expects 100% integrity – not 75%, 50%, or “most” of the time integrity. This prophet does not fulfill God’s directions completely -- and he loses his life! This should put the fear of God in all of us as well as show us how much God values integrity.
Elisha and the healing of Naaman: Let’s look at one more example that is rich in showing how much God values integrity in His people. This is the story found in 2 Kings 5 where Elisha the prophet ministers to Naaman, a Syrian general who is miraculously healed of leprosy.
As the account goes, after his healing, Naaman offers gifts to Elisha to bless him for what has happened. “And he (Naaman) returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said ‘Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.’” (2 Kings 5: 15)
Elisha’s response to the offer reveals integrity of ministry and integrity in the handling of ministry gifts. “But he (Elisha) said, ‘As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing.’ And he (Naaman) urged him to take it, but he (Elisha) refused." (2 Kings 5: 16)
Mothers of Nations, the anointing, the gifts of God, are not for sale. They do not have a price on them. And herein lies another integrity challenge: How do we handle and use our giftings, talents, and anointing that the Lord has assigned to us?
Even an anointed, high ranking prophet of God was tested in his integrity of ministry position and ministry giftings. Should we of lesser anointing and lesser rank be surprised of similar testing as we serve, lead, and minister for the Lord? This is a strong reminder that we must never misuse God-given talents and anointing for personal gain.
As Samuel testified, there is great power of a “clean” testimony: doing things the right way, God’s way. What concept of healing would the heathen people who had witnessed this miracle have if Elisha would have received payment for exercising the gifts of God? Others’ perceptions (heathen, young believers) of God and His ways can be affected by our integrity in handling the anointing and God’s gifts.
Integrity of ministry is a holy and powerful endeavor. It is so important to never run ahead of God because in doing so, we can also run ahead of our integrity level. We won’t be ready to handle the anointing and gifts with the degree of integrity that is demanded.
In this scriptural example we also see that the servant Gehazi’s integrity is also revealed in contrast to that of Elisha. His lusts overtake his integrity. He lies to Naaman, takes the gifts for himself, hides them, and then lies to Elisha -- all practically in the blink of an eye.
And what was the result of his actions and lack of integrity? The leprosy of Naaman is put on Gehazi AND on his seed! (2 Kings 5: 25-27)
25 Now he (Gehazi) went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere." 26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants: 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
Sometimes the results of lack of integrity are revealed immediately as we see with Gehazi. Other times the fruit of lack of integrity is not revealed but rather grows secretly as a disease until a day when its full devastation is revealed.
Mothers of Nations, as we close today please note the extent to which lack of integrity can have effect. Gehazi’s lack of integrity affected both him and his seed! We are not islands unto ourselves. Decisions we make about our lifestyle quality affect others. The “it doesn’t matter what I do” excuse is NOT TRUE. It does matter and is very apparent in our world today.
Hopefully, our eyes have opened up today to the importance that God places on the character quality of integrity. Next week we will consider several blessings that come our way as we commit to a lifestyle of integrity.
Rev. Nola Beintema
