45/365: Integrity Takes Effort

"You shall not steal." ~ God Exodus 20:15

While we may not steal cars, jewelry, or flat screen TVs, is it possible we can steal from others and not even realize it?

In my past, there were a few times when I stole time from my employer. I was paid a wage for something I willingly chose not to do. Is that stealing? It felt that way to me.

As the saying goes, "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." Be wise with your heart.

GO DEEPER: 1 Peter 3: 13-18

NEXT STEP: Think about this today: What separates a thief from an honest man?

Kevin Miller

on 02/14/2023 at 07:05 PM

I used to have a huge problem with this when I was younger. For the most part I think I’m doing alright. I know of a couple of areas where there is room for improvement. That’s what being a Christian is about. Being more Christ like daily.

Charles

on 02/14/2023 at 06:08 PM

I struggle with this as my job requires reading and digestion of many documents and then to write up my opinion and point out any inconsistencies or weak points I’ve discovered. Sometimes I just sit and think about things for a while or just let them marinate but I do sometimes feel guilty about it. How long is too long to think something over? Once I write up a draft, how long to think about the arguments and whether they are relevant?

Kevin Davison

on 02/14/2023 at 06:03 PM

Be a man and not a thief. A thief likes to manipulate man from the good to evil. So be a man and stay with the light. I have learned a couple times as growing up and will stay in the light forever now.

Old Dude

on 02/14/2023 at 05:44 PM

@Whiteeagle - It is every man's battle. You've got to fight lust. Check out the following devotional. Better Than Money, Sex, and Power by John Piper https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/better-than-money-sex-and-power

Whiteeagle

on 02/14/2023 at 05:19 PM

OK, I can really relate with this devotional as someone that struggles with looking up pornography and lusting. Every time I objectify a woman I’m taking something from her and not giving anything in return. Sex addiction is about taking never giving. Today Lord, I want to give to my wife and to others. Give me strength Lord to do things your way. I am sober today. Amen

Ethan Rogers

on 02/14/2023 at 05:11 PM

OK, I had to erase and start over. Was going wrong direction. Thank you God for revealing to me that I want to not offend you, that you are always watching. Thank you for Jesus' teachings to lead my new life. amen Today, I choose to follow Christ. My integrity has grown solid with the love of Jesus. God's power and grace abound in my life. God gives me my faith.

Brandon Pembleton

on 02/14/2023 at 02:42 PM

It's a fine line between taking time for a break and that break turning into wasting time on the clock. I have struggled with this in the past and it is something I will likely always struggle. Getting easily distracted is a character defect of mine. I had to take active steps and pray to correct this and stay on top of this. I had to set my phone up to get zero notifications other than text and even that one is a silent one. All to keep me from opening my phone and losing 20 or 30 minutes looking at some random videos on YouTube or Facebook. On top of which I have to think about what is the purpose of my break - to rejuvenate my mind and body. My mind isn't going to get rejuvenation by giving a new task of learning some random thing on the internet. I have to pray everyday to God to help me with distractions and to keep my thoughts aware of thpse very first thoughts that turn into wasting time on the clock. Thank you God for helping everyday and helping me to correct myself when I don't do the best here. I love you God amen 🙏

Delray

on 02/14/2023 at 02:22 PM

My thought is this, in the courtroom of heaven Satan right now is building a case against you. So why help the adversary with more evidence? Satan knows Gods word and what's more important is we do as well. Therefore, be God's light in all things brothers.

croberts

on 02/14/2023 at 02:06 PM

“Live in such a way that is someone accused you of doing something wrong no one would believe them” Be a man of integrity today.

Boyce Moses

on 02/14/2023 at 01:58 PM

If you don’t have Integrity, you are seriously lacking. Don’t tell others you have it, show them through your actions. Love you Jesus! 💛💙💚🧡

Ashley Jarvis

on 02/14/2023 at 01:42 PM

The enemy of integrity, in my experience, has been justification. If I was slacking on a job, I’d justify it in the old “my boss makes a dollar, I make a dime” justification. If I’m not doing my very best at something, I can justify it by finding someone else I’m still doing it better than. Stealing something, or someone, from somebody else is me telling myself I deserve it, or them, more. I can steal someone’s peace of mind, their innocence, their integrity even if I’m not careful. When we partake in sin, we generally encourage and convince others to join us. Thieving, can be much more than simply pick pocketing… God, help me to maintain a level of integrity that will make you proud today, Amen 🙏🏻

Rick K

on 02/14/2023 at 10:44 AM

What separates a thief from an honest man? Certainly worth pondering. It seems to me it would be awareness: a sense of the Lord's presence in whatever one does, and wherever one goes. if we're mindful of Christ's sacrifice and love, how can we go on sinning? Rogue, I love Ephesians 4:28 as a complement to today's verses from 1st Peter 3. Both references seem to turn the tables on us. Instead of taking what is not ours, we should work hard and share freely what we've earned honestly! Instead of suffering for our wrong doing, we should do good, and be content to suffer for it! What separates a thief from an honest man? Both may suffer for their actions, yet the motive and focus of each is different. The thief is self-centered, but...

Rogue

on 02/14/2023 at 07:10 AM

Let the thief steal no longer but rather labor with his labor, doing honest work with his own hands. So that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:29. In this there is a great protection atonement and freedom. Let no man speak evil against you.

45/365: Integrity Takes Effort

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