There is no question that we are living in a time when standards of conduct have dramatically changed. Ungodliness, perversion, and an “anything goes” mentality are the norm. Unfortunately, as Jesus’ return draws near, these things will only increase. We should not be surprised when we see immorality on the rise, but instead, we should look to the Word of God as our guideline for how we should conduct our lives. Maintaining moral integrity in a fallen world is the responsibility of every Christian.
God has given us specific codes of conduct for a reason, and it is not because He is trying to be mean or diminish the quality of our lives in any way. On the contrary, His standards are designed to enhance our quality of life and keep us in a place of divine protection. When we adhere to His Word, we can avoid a lot of the problems that come with sin and an unrenewed mindset.
Our obedience to the moral principles of the Bible really boils down to one word—honor. When we honor God, His Word holds weight in our lives. We cannot say we truly love Him without obeying what He tells us to do. In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Obeying God is the acid test of our love for Him. On a practical level, that means if He says we should not dishonor our bodies by engaging in sexual sin, we refrain from fornication. If He says we must renew our minds to acquire His thoughts, we make it our priority. We simply do what He says because He loves us.
In order to maintain moral integrity in today’s society, it is going to be imperative that we absolutely make God’s Word our final authority. We must believe with every fiber of our being that the Bible is right and that God doesn’t change His mind about what has been written. The moment we begin to accept contradictory ideas about what is right or wrong, we are setting ourselves up for compromise. We must remain established in the truths found in the Scriptures at all costs.
Studying and meditating on the Word are also critical to developing a consciousness of what pleases God. As we renew our minds according to Romans 12:1, 2, we will be able to prove what the perfect will of God is.
Colossians 3:1-10 discuss how we are to embrace higher ways of thinking and behaving, while letting go of the immoral lifestyles we once lived. I believe this is one of the primary ways we are able to be effective witnesses for the Lord. When the people in our circles of influence begin to see that we no longer engage in the things we used to do, because of our integrity and morals, it will really have an impact. The best way to introduce others to the Lord is to let them see what He has done in us. This even speaks louder than our words
I don’t know about you, but I want to see the Lord. I look forward to the day when I get to meet Him face to face. The truth of the matter is, without holiness and agreement or alignment with God’s standards, a person will not get to see Him or experience His wonderful presence for eternity. We must make the decision to live in a way that pleases Him so we can enjoy the eternal rewards that await us in Heaven. Even though it can be a challenge during these most turbulent times, making the commitment to moral integrity is in our best interest, both now and forever.
For more information on how you can align your life with God’s Word, be sure to visit our online Bible Study Center and bookstore for spiritual resources that are guaranteed to help you grow in every area of your life.
Creflo Dollar
Scripture References:
- John 14:15
- Romans 12:1, 2
- Colossians 3:1-10
