Integrity of the Heart
Or
What Would You Have Done at Gibeon?
YABC (Young Adult Bible Class)
From the Ambassador Bible Center Lecture Hall
Instructor: Matthew Fenchel
July 12, 2013
Handout and Outline
A. Integrity is a core trait of godly leadership.
· Prov. 20:6-7 – Who can find a faithful person? Integrity keeps us.
· Is. 33:14-16 – Details of integrity. Walk with God, dwell on high.
o Hebrew: innocence and completeness.
o Advanced leadership: integrity required above all other values.
à How does integrity look, when you are on the receiving end of promises, products or services? ß
B. Story of Gibeon
· Joshua 9:3-14 – Gibeonites worked “slyly”.
o The Gibeonites realized that it was probably pointless to struggle. Why? (Deut. 20:10-18)
o At first, Joshua and the elders are cautious. They knew God’s command. Gibeonites essentially offering to become Israel’s vassals – a servant state, and servants to Israel. Wanting to at least survive, and maybe even wanting protection from Israel.
o The deception worked. Israel did not consult with God. Lesson for us? (Num. 27:18-21)
· Joshua 9:15-27 – Gibeon is not far away.
o Two phrases in Hebrew. One is he made peace with them, and spared their lives. Second is that he made a treaty of protection with them. Elders approved this treaty. In this chapter and in the next chapter, both treaties are invoked.
o Found out they were neighbors, and actually apart of the nation God had commanded should be destroyed.
à You are now in Gibeon. What could have been done? What would YOU have done at Gibeon?
o It seems that Gibeon became fully assimilated into Israel. Nehemiah 3:7 and 7:25.
· Joshua 10:1-5 – Kings decide to attack Gibeon.
o The cities of Gibeon were some major cities in terms of influence and military strength. Certainly the other cities in the region were looking to Gibeon to help defend against Israel. But now, Gibeon went to the “other side” and would have to be defeated. (Deut. 7:1-5; 8:20 and 12:29-31)
· Joshua 10:6-11 – Kings defeated by God and Israel.
o Mercy and deliverance from God. Joshua was probably feeling uncertain after mishandling the situation with the Gibeonites. Obvious that God had forgiven, and would intervene.
C. Epilogue. II Samuel 21:1-2 – God regards our integrity as something very important.
D. Integrity
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness. Soundness.
3. Honesty in intent and action. The Bible calls it: "integrity of the heart."
4. Something you can depend on. Integrity of the material is good, the product will be solid.
*** Integrity is being, acting and speaking as you claim to be. ***
· 1. Kings 9:4 -- David had integrity of heart.
· Job 2:3, 9 -- Job was a man of integrity.
· Prov. 11:3 -- Integrity will preserve.
D1. Hold our thoughts, decisions and actions to a godly standard.
· Ps. 7:8 – God will judge us. Treasuring our reputation & conscience above all.
D2. Doing what is right, even when it is a disadvantage for me.
· Ps. 15:1-5 – Swears to own hurt. If you are going to make a promise, treat it seriously.
D3. Doing what is right, no matter what others do – and no matter what others do to me.
· Pet. 2:11-23 – Conduct honest, no matter what.
· Joshua 24:14-15 – No matter what you do, me and my house will serve God.
D4. Not doing the wrong, even when no one is looking.
· Joshua 6:18; 7:1 – Achan
D5. “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
· Acts 4:34-37; 5:1-4 – Ananias
E. CONCLUSION: What would you have done at Gibeon? What do we do when situations like Gibeon, or Achan, or Ruth, or Ananias, or Joshua or David arise in our lives? Integrity of the heart according to God’s directives will always be the correct answer.
Are You A Person of Integrity?
A Character Self-Exam
You try to be aware of other people's feelings, and you don't intentionally bring up subjects that will hurt or embarrass them. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You can really keep a secret, and you don't save information to use to put others down in public.
( ) Yes ( ) No
You always do what you say you'll do. You keep your promises to your friends and family, you pay an honest tithe, and you're usually on time. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You don't take credit for other people's accomplishments, and you compliment other people in public when they've achieved something or done a favor for you. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You analyze your actions after an argument with someone, and you admit it and apologize when you were the one in the wrong. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You don't take things to the extreme when you're really angry. For example, you don't write off a friend completely when you have a fight. You don't tell your parents you're going to run away whenever you disagree, and when you argue with your brothers or sisters, you don't tell them you hate them.
( ) Yes ( ) No
You don't get angry when someone else makes a mistake and you try to understand and be patient with the shortcomings of others. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You don't consider yourself to be the ultimate authority. You willingly and openly go to others for help and advice, and you frequently check with Heavenly Father through prayer. ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you tell the truth or do you exaggerate or distort the truth? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you remain silent leading others to believe something that isn't true? ( ) Yes ( ) No
You stand for Truth and Righteousness. ( ) Yes ( ) No
You're with a group of friends who begin to make fun of someone else. Do you laugh with them or do you speak in favor of the other person? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Are your actions consistent with your knowledge of right and wrong? ( ) Yes ( ) No