A Vow of Integrity

Psalm 101

David makes a vow of integrity to the Lord, both public and private integrity, and is that what is often missing among so many in our world today.  It’s verse three that got my full attention, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless, I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”   As I explored this, it seems David is referring to anything or anyone that opposed God or His law.

Integrity seems to be left out of our culture, both in private and public life, when it shows up in the life of a follower of Christ,  one is often laughed at, as was our Vice President.  On the flip side, when a follower of Christ does not have moral integrity it brings shame on the name of our LORD.

Yesterday, I got a survey from my Senator Ted Cruz, a man who is right for Texas and I believe the Nation.  The survey was to get the voter's thoughts on term limits, at least that is what my wife told me before I ask her to file it in the garbage can.  Ted knows how we feel about term limits and also how the majority of voters in the USA would vote if they had a vote.  No, it was not my thoughts he wanted but what they call throwing red meat to the voter to get them fired up.  He can sponsor all kinds of bills on term limits and knows it will never pass.  Why?  Congress has the power to vote themselves raises and benefits, and they are not about to give up that right, or the power and wealth that come from the office.  In my humble opinion, Ted’s survey was a lack of integrity; it’s called manipulating or deceiving.

I’m only 77 years of age and am more ignorant about many things than you. But over those 77 years, I recall few men that have reached the office of President of the United States that kept the promises they have made, in fact only one, a man that is hated by media and a few in his party; his name is Donald J. Trump.  

When I began to write about integrity, these were not the thoughts I had in mind, in fact, I’ve said enough about politicians, for they are only Band-Aids for real problems that only looking to God can change.  That is the heart of the people.

Verse seven, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”  Shall we explore other places in Scripture where the Holy Spirit has spoken on lying and liars, such as Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.”  Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”  This is a woe is me verse, and I always must do as 2 Corinthians 13:5 instructs me to, examine myself!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice