Series Introduction
Jesus teaches that true spiritual success is not about outward rule-keeping but about the heart behind our actions.
In this series:
- Week 1: Self Checkout Is Open (anger and relationships)
- Week 2: Self Checkout Is Still Open (desires and self-discipline)
- Week 3: A Spiritual Reality Check — a master class on integrity.
1. Check Your Devotion
Matthew 5:33–34 NKJV
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;”
- In Jesus’ day, swearing oaths or vows was a way to prove devotion and sincerity.
- Example: Hannah vowed to dedicate Samuel to God if He blessed her with a son (1 Samuel 1:11 NKJV).
- Oaths had three elements: petition, pledge, and penalty.
- God takes vows seriously because His name and reputation are connected to them.
Reality Check: God doesn’t need proof of our devotion; we need to evaluate it ourselves.
- Do I put God first in my daily life?
- Do I give Him credit for blessings or take all the credit?
- Do I regularly worship, pray, and represent Him well?
Reflection Questions:
- What areas of my life compete with my devotion to God?
- Do my daily decisions reflect love and commitment to Him?
- How can I grow in personal worship and acknowledgment of God’s work in my life?
2. Check Your Authority
Matthew 5:34–36 NKJV
“Do not swear at all: neither by heaven… nor by the earth… nor by Jerusalem… nor by your head…”
- People swore by things perceived as unchanging and stable (heaven, earth, Jerusalem, even their own heads).
- Jesus reveals: these are outside our control.
- Heaven belongs to God.
- Earth is His footstool.
- Jerusalem is His city.
- Even your body is not fully under your authority.
Reality Check: We can only control what God has placed under our authority.
- We can’t control other people, only our responses.
- We can’t control outcomes, only our contributions.
- Many of us have areas under our authority that are still out of control:
- Attitudes, speech, habits, spending, emotions, desires for significance.
Reflection Questions:
- What areas of my life feel out of control right now?
- How am I using (or misusing) the authority God has entrusted to me (time, resources, opportunities)?
- How would my life look different if I exercised Spirit-led self-control?
3. Check Your Integrity
Matthew 5:37 NKJV
“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
- Integrity means consistency and honesty — being whole inside and out.
- It’s living in such a way that your words and actions match.
- Integrity means you do what you say and say what you mean.
- Job’s example: God called him blameless and upright (Job 1:8 NKJV).
Reality Check: Can God and others trust you?
- Integrity builds trust with God and with people (family, friends, work, church).
- To grow in integrity:
- Determine your core values. What do you stand for? What do you refuse to compromise?
- Align your values with God’s Word. Make adjustments where needed.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I consistent in my walk with God, or do I live with “gray areas”?
- Can God trust me with His blessings and assignments?
- What adjustments do I need to make to align my values with God’s Word?
Conclusion: Integrity Is Key
Jesus calls us to a spiritual reality check: Check your devotion, your authority, and your integrity.
If you need to convince people you’re trustworthy, it may be a sign of inconsistency or compromise.
A life of integrity brings glory to God and credibility to your witness.
Memory Verses for the Week
- Matthew 5:37 – Let your yes be yes and no be no.
- Job 1:8 – God commends the blameless and upright.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 – Hannah’s vow of devotion.
- Psalm 139:2–3 – God knows our thoughts and ways.
Prayer Focus
“Lord, give me an honest heart. Help me to live with integrity. Teach me to take responsibility for my actions, align my life with Your Word, and be a faithful witness for You. Amen.”