Our Integrity

1
Our Integrity

• Matthew 533-37

2
Integrity

• Uprightness in character, honesty.
• We suffer from a lack of integrity.
• In politics we expect our leaders to have a lack
  of integrity.
• Enron in business
• Is your life characterized by integrity?
• Are you as good as your word?

3
The Pharisees summarized the law accurately, but
missed the point.

• Rabbis were permissive.
• See Matthew 533
• Moses often seems to have emphasized the evil of
  false swearing and the duty of performing to the
  Lord ones oaths.
• Exodus 207 Leviticus 1912 Numbers 302
  Deuteronomy 2321
• These verses prohibit false swearing or perjury.
• Shifted peoples attention away from the vow
  itself to the formula used in making it.
• Matthew 2316-22

4
The Pharisees summarized the law accurately, but
missed the point.

• Matthew 534-36
• The question of the formula used in making vows
  is totally irrelevant.
• You cant avoid some reference to God, for the
  whole world is Gods world.
• Isaiah 661 Heaven is Gods throne, the earth
  is His footstool.
• Jerusalem is His city.
• We cant even control our natural hair color.

5
We must keep our promises and be people of our
word.

• Vows become unnecessary Matthew 537
• James 512
• Anything more than a simple yes or no comes from
  evil.
• Evil of our hearts and/or from the evil one
  John 844
• It wasnt commanded Deuteronomy 2322-23
• Why has God Himself used oaths? (Gen. 2216-17)
• Is this prohibition absolute? (Matthew 2663-64)
• A.M. Hunter Oaths arise because men are so
  often liars.
• 1 Timothy 412

6
Conclusion What are we to do?

• Take our position in Christ seriously.
• Unforeseen circumstances should be the exception,
  not the rule.
• Set your priorities.
• Remember your marriage vows.
• Trouble with time get a daytimer or PDA
• Write prayer requests down or pray right there.
• If you tell someone youll do something write
  it down. When you say youll call them back, do
  it.
• When you mess up ask for forgiveness.