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Three Essential Questions

After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions. 

1. What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
2. What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
3. What will you do? How will you put into practice what you’ve learned today? 

“A person is worth what his reputation is worth.”    Prov. 27:21b (NJB) 

“A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume.”        Eccl.  7:1a (NLT) 

“Choose a good reputation over great riches. Being held in high esteemis far better than having silver or gold.”  Prov. 22:1 (NLT)

Paul: “. . . We're being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God.”    2 Cor. 8:21 (Mes) 

“An elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. . . . Also, he must have a good reputation with peopleoutside the church who speak well of him so that he can’t be disgracedand trapped by Satan.”  1 Tim. 3:2, 7 (NLT) 

“In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. . . . First, they must be evaluated. Then, if they have a good reputation, they may become deacons.”  1 Tim. 3:8, 10 (NLT)

HOW TO BECOME KNOWN FOR INTEGRITY

1. SPEAK THE TRUTH PLAINLY

“Above all, my brothers and sisters, don’t swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Just let your ‘Yes’ be yes and let your ‘No’ be no – just say what you mean. Do this so you can’t be judged and condemned.”       James 5:12              

Paul: “Am I like the people of the world who say yes when they really mean no? As surely as God is true, I am not that sort of person! My yes means yes because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never wavers between yes and no!”  2 Cor. 1:17b-19a (NLT)

Jesus: “I tell you to never swear by heaven, which is God's throne, or by the earth, which is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, his great city, or even by the hair on your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple ‘Yes’ if you mean yes or 'No’ when you mean no. Your word should be enough. Anything more than that is from the Evil One.”     Matthew 5:34-37 

2. SHARE THE TRUTH COMPLETELY

“Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble . . .”     Pr. 10:10 (TEV)

“Why are you lying? Do you think your lies will benefit God?”      Job 13:7(TEV)

 “In the end people appreciate frankness more than flattery.”     Pr. 28:23 (LB)

Action Plan: This week, journal each time you did not speak the complete truth. Write down what you said, what you really meant, and why did you not speak the complete truth (To boast, to save someone’s feelings, etc).  Pray over this during your daily quiet time and ask God for guidance.

3. USE THE TRUTH TACTFULLY

“Speak the truth in a spirit of love . . .”    Eph. 4:15 (TEV)

“Speak ONLY what is helpful for building others up,according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”    Eph. 4:29

"Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wiselyspoken words can heal.”                   Prov. 12:18 (TEV)

“Intelligent people think before they speak . . .”              Prov. 16:23 (TEV)

“There is a right time and a right way to do everything . . .”          Eccl. 8:6 (TEV)

4. LIVE THE TRUTH CONSISTENTLY

"Let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things – speaking truly,dealing truly, living truly.”         Eph. 4:15 (Amp)

“People who can't be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.”    Prov. 11:3 (TEV)

"David shepherded the people with integrity of heart; and with skillful hands he led them.”  Ps. 78:72 (NIV) 

DAVID’S COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL INTEGRITY 

"This is my song (of commitment) to your love and justice O Lord . . .          I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look atanything degrading or demeaning. I will refuse to support anythingshameful or corrupt. I will not be dishonest and I will have nothing todo with anything evil. I will silence anyone who spreads gossip and slander about others and I will not tolerate anyone who looks down onothers. Instead, I’ll keep my eyes on the godly of the land and theywill be my heroes. Only those with integrity shall minister to me. Noone who cheats or lies will ever have a position in my royal court.”  Psalm 101:1-7 

Action Plan: Each day during your daily devotional, talk with God about moments where you did not live the complete truth.  After your devotional, write down each of those moments as a reminder to change. This will be difficult as your mind will want to rationalize your partial truths. However, be honest with God about your heart and motivations, and He will transform you.

Every Service Action Steps

We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com

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