What practical steps can we take to ensure integrity, based on Ecclesiastes 10:8? Opening the Passage “He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.” (Ecclesiastes 10:8) Key Observation • Solomon pictures two common worksite mishaps—a trapper tumbling into his own pit, and a builder breaking through a wall only to meet a lurking serpent. • Both images warn that cutting corners or acting carelessly can turn on us. Integrity—staying honest, thoughtful, and upright—keeps us from digging the very pit we fall into. Why Integrity Matters • God sees every action (Proverbs 5:21). • Integrity safeguards our witness (Philippians 2:15). • It spares us from self-inflicted harm (Psalm 7:15-16). Practical Steps to Safeguard Integrity 1. Guard Hidden Spaces – Examine motives before you act (Psalm 139:23-24). – Refuse shortcuts that compromise righteousness—even when no one is watching. 2. Respect Boundaries – Walls in Scripture picture limits set for our good (Proverbs 25:28). – Identify ethical lines at work, home, and online, and resolve never to breach them. 3. Weigh Consequences Ahead of Time – Picture the “snake” that might strike if you ignore God’s standards (Galatians 6:7-8). – Let the fear of God—not fear of getting caught—shape decisions (Proverbs 1:7). 4. Speak Truth Consistently – Keep promises, honor contracts, report numbers accurately (Ephesians 4:25). – Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37). 5. Cultivate Accountability – Invite a trusted believer to review blind spots (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). – Regularly confess and forsake sin; hidden faults lose power in the light (1 John 1:7-9). 6. Maintain Daily Communion with Scripture – The Word shines a lamp on subtle compromises (Psalm 119:105). – Memorize verses that address your vulnerable areas. 7. Depend on the Spirit’s Power – Integrity is fruit of the Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:22-23). – Pray for strength to stand when tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). Anchoring Ourselves in Truth • Integrity isn’t a one-time decision but a steady walk (Micah 6:8). • When we refuse to dig pits or breach walls, God protects and honors us (Psalm 15:1-2, 5). Closing Reflection Integrity today prevents disaster tomorrow. Keep your shovel from digging pits, your hands from breaking protective walls, and your heart firmly set on the God who “delights in truth in the inward being” (Psalm 51:6). |
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