Topic: You Can’t Be Fake and Have Integrity [RICK WARREN Devotional 11 January 2020]

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“We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2 The Message).

Living with integrity means you don’t pretend. You’re real with yourself and others.

You’re an open book. You’re authentic—what people see is what they get. You refuse to play a role: “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2 The Message).

So how do you live without faking it?

You do it by caring more about God’s approval than the approval of others. That’s the only way you’ll ever become a person of integrity. Sometimes God’s way is unpopular or difficult. If you care about what God thinks, you’ll do what’s right. If you care about what other people think, you’ll often do what’s wrong.

One way to live authentically is to read your Bible regularly. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word” (NCV).

You can’t obey God’s Word if you don’t know it. If you don’t spend time reading and studying and memorizing the Bible, you won’t have the strength and stamina to be real and honest with the people around you.

God created you to be you. Trust him, and be authentic.

Talk About It

• Where and when are you most tempted to wear a mask? Why?
• Whose approval is most important to you? Why? How is seeking that person’s approval good or bad for you?
• How do reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible help you live authentically?