In order to build strong families, we’ve got to build them on a foundation of God’s Word. In our message series “Building Strong Families” we’ve been looking at the 10 commandments, which are the plumb line for Christian character. Many believers think they do pretty good at keeping the ten commandments. The same was true back in Jesus’ day.
In Matthew 19, the Bible tells us a story of a man who came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” ” Jesus replied. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The young man was convinced he was basically perfect at keeping the commandments. Yet, Jesus quickly showed that the man loved his money more than his neighbor and certainly had not given God first place in his life. He was not a man of integrity, for his wealth was not his own. In effect he was greedy and lacked integrity.
Today my message is about “Increasing in Integrity.” The dictionary says that integrity is “the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles.” We might say that integrity is the quality of knowing and keeping God’s commandments.
Psalm 119:1 (NLT) Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.
A person of integrity follows the law of the Lord, such a person will be blessed. He will prosper in all that he does. Today we’re looking at the 8th commandment, it’s found in …
Exodus 20:15 (NIV) You shall not steal.
Stealing is simply taking what is someone else’s without permission. It could be money, property or anything else that is not yours. Remember from last Sunday that God’s commands are warning signs. God’s commands warn us against doing things that will lead to great pain and difficulty in our lives and that will harm others as well. Before you think that this command does not apply to you, let’s look at some ways that the 8th commandment could be broken in today’s society.
Listen to or watch my April 3, 2011 message Increasing in Integrity.