“The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.”
The 1952 movie High Noon is an example of a good sheriff who is completely left on his own to take on all the bad guys. He finds himself on his own against a gang of killers. It made for a good movie over seventy years ago. We don’t often see that in real life, but sometimes it can feel that way. One of the reasons peer pressure is so powerful among teenagers is that it is hard to stand alone and do what is right. Even adults and business leaders at times find themselves in the same situation. How often has a business leader been found in court talking about getting caught up in what others were doing, only to give in and become a participant themselves? My friend Mark Whitacre, who today leads the ministry at Coke Consolidated, had his story portrayed by Matt Damon in the movie The Informant!. Mark was brought into the confidence of the leadership at his company, only to eventually take the fall for all of their crimes. As Christ followers, we have a responsibility to stand firm in integrity, even if we must stand alone. Thankfully, there are many men and women in leadership today who will stand with people of integrity during difficult times. It is a matter of knowing them, building community with them, and then walking together through both the good times and the hard times. Ultimately, we have the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us, and when we are called to stand alone against the forces of evil and sin, He gives us that power. Today, walk in integrity through the power of the Holy Spirit. #BeTheEdge
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
