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Heart

Integrity rules in God’s world. Jesus knows this. He demands we live with integrity.

There are some things God can’t stand. Deceiving people we know is huge on the list. Thinking we are deceiving God is even worse.

What is integrity? When we align with what God wants and believe it in our hearts, think about it in our minds, talk about it and then do it!!

  • That is alignment in God’s world.
  • The world where Jesus is the Messiah and rules everything.
  • I must align with Jesus.

Those of crooked heart are an abomination to Yahweh [the Lord], but those of blameless ways are his delight. [1]

~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:20)

What does this verse mean? Well, first of all, let’s look at the words “crooked” and “blameless”. The word “crooked” in Hebrew is עִקֵּשׁ (iqqesh), which means twisted, distorted, or perverse. It describes someone who is dishonest, deceitful, or wicked. The word “blameless” in Hebrew is תָּמִים (tamim), which means complete, whole, or perfect. It describes someone who is upright, sincere, or faithful.

So, the verse is contrasting two types of people: those who have a twisted heart and those who have a whole heart. Those who have a twisted heart are an abomination to Yahweh, which means they are detestable, disgusting, or loathsome to him. They are the opposite of what he desires and values. Those who have a whole heart are his delight, which means they are pleasing, delightful, or lovely to him. They are what he loves and cherishes.

Why does this matter? Well, because our heart condition affects everything we do. Our heart is the source of our thoughts, emotions, motives, and actions. As Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-19:

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

So, if we have a crooked heart, we will produce crooked words and deeds that dishonor God and harm others. But if we have a blameless heart, we will produce blameless words and deeds that glorify God and bless others.

How can we have a blameless heart? Well, only by God’s grace and power. We cannot make ourselves blameless by our own efforts or merits. We need God to cleanse us from our sins and renew us by his Spirit. As David prayed in Psalm 51:10:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

God is able to transform our hearts and make us new creations in Jesus. He is able to give us a new heart and a new spirit that love him and obey him. He is able to fill us with his love and joy that overflow into our lives.

So, let’s ask God to examine our hearts and show us if there is any crooked way in us. Let’s repent of any sin that grieves him and separates us from him. Let’s seek him with all our hearts and follow his ways. Let’s be people of integrity and honesty who reflect his character and please his heart.

Let’s be those of blameless ways who are his delight!

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 11:20.