The 1996 New York Times had a story on a golfer named Jeff Sluman.
Jeff was playing in the Bay Hill Invitational and he hit his ball in the water.
He then took a drop (drop your ball near the place it went in the water) and he added a penalty stroke
During the night he began to question whether his drop was legal or illegal.
He couldn’t sleep that night and the next morning called the golfing officials and told them what happen.
Before the officials even made a decision, Jeff disqualified himself.
Jeff said, “I’m not sure if what I did was right, and if I’m not sure then I couldn’t live with myself and keep playing. What if I won? It would be a curse.”
Not many people today have the attitude of Jeff Sluman.
In most sports today the rule is to see what you can get away with (as long as you don’t get caught then its O.K.)
But for the person of integrity cheating/deceit is never okay (its never an option)
We live in a world of deceit
Politicians break campaign promises continually
Parents laugh at little “Billie” when he cheats at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey)
Businesses lie just to sale a product (on and on)
Dictionary defines integrity as = adherence to a moral or ethical code, soundness of moral character
When someone is a person of integrity he/she is someone that has wholeness about him either.
Many people in the world today are two-faced (their life doesn’t match their doctrine)
Why do we lose our integrity?
Peer Pressure - Matthew 27:19-24
Pilate lacked integrity, he made decisions based on what other people thought and said.
He didn’t want to take responsibility
Pride - Exodus 8:8-15
Pharaoh wanted to be in control and not take advice from others
In the end Pharaoh’s pride led to his firstborn son dieing (all the 1st born sons of Egypt)