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Being Intentional

Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.(unknown)

 "Have the courage to say no.  Have the courage to face the truth.  Do the right thing because it is right.  These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity." - W. Clement Stone

"Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do." -Don Galer

 "Integrity is telling myself the truth.  And honesty is telling the truth to other people." -Spencer Johnson

Simply let your 'yes' be 'yes', and 'no' 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37

  Integrity is a very important trait to have; but even more important to practice.  In my opinion integrity has a lot to do with being intentional.  Being intentional means knowing what you are doing, and why you are doing it.  Another way to look at it is 'know thyself'.  Life is much more vibrant when we say what we mean and we mean what we say. They way we express ourselves should reflect what we actually think.  Many times we act only in accordance with the expectations and assumptions of other people; this does not reflect intentional will and therefore shows lack of integrity.  

One example we can look at to explain integrity is complimenting others.  If I compliment someone, I want to mean what I say.  I'm not going to throw fake compliments around just to make people happy, or to give the illusion that I am a good person. However I do want to give true compliments for other's happiness.  Untrue compliments are not necessary; for one can intentionally perceive true values and give praise accordingly.  There is no hierarchy of gifts in God's eyes and there shouldn't be in ours either. 

I am not big on receiving compliments, but I appreciate it when someone intentionally lifts me up. This being said I do not like compliments if they are fake or forced. So being intentional is about being real, not fake.  I want to be real; I want to call things as I see them.  As a friend and a Christan it is very important to intentionally lift others up.  Appreciating someone for who they are is real and truly beneficial; creating untruthful compliments is just a reflection of laziness.  Because again, everyone has qualities and gifts, and everyone needs words of encouragement.  It is possible to truthfully fulfill that need.

This runs true for more than just compliments. In fact compliments are inconsequential in comparison to the many other areas in which we should be intentional; but it does make for a good example.   We ought to be intentional with criticism, praise, conflict, forgiveness, evangelism, our actions, opinions, beliefs, and even our thoughts.  Our society does not push people to be intentional. The 'World's' perception on friendship, love, and life, is very insubstantial; seeming to pertain only to appearance rather than reality.  As Christians we are called to be real, to live intentionally, to be truthful, and to have integrity.  Integrity and honesty are very important; especially within the church.  Being intentional with one another can be hard, but the benefit it has for a community is beyond comparison.

Romans 12:3 - "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

Proverbs 11:3 - "Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people."
 
Psalm 119:160 - "The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever." 
  
Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

Proverbs 12:5 - "The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful." 

1 Timothy 1:19 - "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." 

Luke 16:10 - "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

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