Goodness

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

Ancient Philosophies Concerning Goodness

Happiness: Good is the experience of pleasure and the eradication of pain.

Education: Good is the acquisition of knowledge and the eradication of ignorance.

Democracy: Good is the greatest benefit for the greatest number.

Materialism: Good is having goods!

• Each of these philosophies shares one common error – the idea that man on his own can choose !

• The Bible teaches that people are NOT born good, but with a .

• Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

• Romans 6:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.

• The Bible teaches us that we have no in ourselves to choose the right behavior, even if we want to!

• Romans 7:18-19 (NLT) 18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. 19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.

• Mark 10:17-18 17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

• We don’t “get good to get God,” we “!”

The Greek word for “goodness” is the word “agathosune.” It is a rare word that combines BEING good and DOING good. It means goodness that originates in our heart but manifests itself in our actions. It literally means, “to be godlike.”

• Our most accurate modern word for “goodness” would be the word “wholeness” or “.”

Integrity

• INTEGRITY is a decision to integrate my heart’s values into my .

• Proverbs 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

• 1 Chronicles 29:17a (NLT) I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.

• Matthew 6:1 (NLT) Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

• 1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT) People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.

• Romans 12:9 (CEV) Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.

• Romans 12:21 (NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

• The only way you can beat the devil is to be the same in as you are in public.