integrity – Undivided

Living with Integrity in a Challenging World

In a world that constantly pushes us to conform, how can we stand firm in our faith and values? This question is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when Daniel and his friends faced a similar dilemma in ancient Babylon.

The story of Daniel and his companions offers profound insights into living with integrity amidst pressure to compromise. These young men, likely just teenagers, were taken from their homeland and thrust into a foreign culture. King Nebuchadnezzar, having destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, sought to eradicate not just the present but the future of God’s people. He implemented a strategic plan to indoctrinate the brightest young Israelites into Babylonian culture, aiming to transform them into leaders who would serve his kingdom.

This ancient scenario mirrors the tactics of our spiritual adversary today. Just as Nebuchadnezzar attempted to reshape these young men’s identities, beliefs, and behaviors, so too does our enemy seek to mold us according to worldly standards. The challenge for believers then and now is to maintain integrity – not just honesty, but an undivided devotion to God in every area of life.

Integrity, at its core, is about being undivided. It’s about giving Jesus our complete surrender and devotion. Success in our spiritual lives isn’t found in half-hearted commitment or casual Christianity. It requires being “all in” for Christ. This doesn’t guarantee an absence of trials or suffering, but it does promise a life of purpose and fulfillment in God’s plan.

To live with such integrity, we must make God’s presence a priority. This means depending on Him daily, dwelling in His Word, renewing our minds, and walking by faith. It involves listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying His promptings. As the Apostle Paul exhorts in Ephesians 6, we must “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” and “put on the full armor of God” to stand against the schemes of the enemy.

Living with integrity often means standing out from the crowd. If we want to make a difference in this world, we must be different. This doesn’t mean being weird or off-putting, but it does mean taking our faith seriously and living it out boldly. Our world desperately needs to see Christians who embody a better story – one of purpose, fulfillment, and hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Daniel and his friends exemplify this kind of integrity. When faced with pressure to conform, they made a stand. They didn’t fight when their names were changed, recognizing that their true identity was rooted in their relationship with God. However, they drew the line when asked to eat food sacrificed to idols, which would have violated their commitment to God.

Crucially, Daniel “resolved” not to defile himself. This suggests a predetermined decision, made before the temptation arose. Such pre-decision is key to successfully navigating temptation and pressure. By deciding in advance how we will respond to challenging situations, we equip ourselves to stand firm when the moment comes.

For us today, this might mean predetermining to avoid certain environments, conversations, or behaviors that we know will compromise our faith. It could involve deciding ahead of time how we’ll respond to gossip in the workplace, temptations when alone, or pressure from peers. By resolving these matters in our hearts beforehand, we’re better prepared to honor God consistently.

The story of Daniel reminds us that standing for our convictions isn’t a one-time event but a daily choice. Every meal, every day, Daniel and his friends chose to honor God. Their consistent faithfulness eventually led to a culture shift, as their commitment to God’s ways proved beneficial not just spiritually but physically and intellectually as well.

God honored their integrity, granting them wisdom, understanding, and influence far beyond their peers. While we shouldn’t expect earthly promotion or increased influence as a guaranteed result of our faithfulness, we can trust that God sees and honors our commitment to Him.

So how can we cultivate this kind of integrity in our own lives? It starts with prayer – a life devoted to and revolving around communication with God. It involves taking God’s Word seriously, not just as inspirational quotes but as a guide for life. And it requires resolving beforehand to honor God in every situation, making deliberate decisions about how we’ll live out our faith.

As Hudson Taylor said, “Christ is either Lord of all, or He’s not Lord at all.” This challenging statement invites us to examine our own lives. Have we truly surrendered every area to Christ’s lordship? Are there aspects of our lives we’re holding back?

The example of Daniel and his friends, set against the backdrop of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us, calls us to a life of total surrender. In view of God’s incredible mercy and love, demonstrated through Jesus’ death on the cross, how can we offer anything less than our all?

Living with integrity in a challenging world isn’t easy, but it’s possible through the power of God working in us. As we commit to undivided devotion to Christ, resolve to stand firm in our convictions, and daily surrender our lives to God’s control, we can make a real difference in our world. We can be the thermostats that change the temperature of our environments, rather than merely reflecting the culture around us.

Today, let’s be inspired by Daniel’s example and challenged by Christ’s sacrifice. Let’s commit to living lives of integrity, fully surrendered to God, ready to stand out and make a difference for His kingdom. In doing so, we’ll discover the true fulfillment, purpose, and joy that come from wholeheartedly following Jesus.

This blog is based on a message I preached at Heart Church, you can listen to the message here