Living Holy Lives with Integrity and Truth

Sunday, August 10, 2025 w/Pr. Jose

Key Points

• Holiness should be evident in all aspects of a believer's life, including digital communications, social media presence, and business dealings, as stated in 1 Peter 1:15.
• The importance of integrity in everyday actions was emphasized, noting that Christians should not engage in dishonest behaviors like theft or misrepresentation.
• Believers should strive to represent God through their conduct, avoiding negative behaviors like division, pride, and unnecessary conflict within the church community.
• Temptation serves as a monitor of character strength rather than something to be prayed away, with personal responsibility emphasized over blaming external factors.
• The mind was identified as one of the most powerful resources God has given believers, with the principle that "wherever the mind goes, the heart follows."
• Four types of knowledge of God were outlined: intellectual knowledge (gained through study), experiential knowledge (through personal encounters), moral knowledge (applying God's standards), and revelation knowledge (direct spiritual insight).
• Isaiah 55:8-9 was referenced to highlight that God's thoughts and ways are higher than human thoughts and ways, emphasizing the need to align with divine perspective.
• Believers were cautioned against making plans without God and expecting divine blessing, as God's plan supersedes personal feelings and emotions.
• The concept of being "demonized" was explained as being influenced, oppressed, or harassed by demons when believers are disobedient to God's word.
• Christians were encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God, suggesting at least 2 hours and 40 minutes daily for spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study.
• The importance of character and stability in Christian life was emphasized, with a call to be "solid, rooted, and stable" rather than unpredictable.
• John 8:32 was referenced to highlight how understanding truth leads to freedom from bondage, sin, guilt, and spiritual death.
• Believers were encouraged to exercise discernment in conversations, removing themselves from gossip or negative discussions that don't edify.

Summary

Biblical Foundation for Holy Living

• The sermon is based on 1 Peter 1:13-21, which calls believers to be holy in all conduct as God is holy.

• The passage emphasizes being sober-minded and resting hope fully on God's grace.
• Believers are called to live as obedient children, not conforming to former lusts but to God's holiness.
• The text reminds believers they were redeemed not with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.

Milestones in Faith Development

• The church has been teaching a series called "Milestones" focused on spiritual growth and maturity.

• Believers cannot remain the same person they once were and must show evidence of growth through their behavior.
• Actions speak louder than words, and there should be visible fruit of the Spirit in believers' lives.
• After following God for a period of time, believers should demonstrate better self-control and spiritual discipline.

Holiness in All Areas of Life

• Believers are called to be holy in all conduct, not just some areas of their lives.

• This holiness should extend to texting, social media posts, business dealings, and even grocery shopping.
• The pastor addresses the issue of stealing grapes while grocery shopping as an example of lacking integrity.
• There should be a level of conviction in believers that prevents them from doing to others what they wouldn't want done to themselves.

The Problem of Compromised Christian Living

• Many believers today do not strive to live a life that reflects God and instead live compromised lives.

• Believers need to examine themselves and ask whether their ways are truly pleasing to God.
• While all have shortcomings, there should be less tolerance for sin as believers grow in faith.
• There should be no tolerance for filthy language, as cursing is described as the devil's language that brings destruction.

Understanding Temptation and Character Development

• Believers should stop praying for temptation to be removed because it serves to monitor character strength.

• Character is measured by the last temptation that was resisted rather than given into.
• Temptation is placed by God as an indicator of spiritual maturity and strength.
• Believers cannot blame external factors for their failures but must take responsibility for their choices.

The Power of the Mind and Personal Responsibility

• The mind is one of the most powerful things God has given believers, and wherever the mind goes, the heart follows.

• Many issues believers face today are their own fault and must be acknowledged.
• There will come a time when believers must deal with things they have been ignoring.
• God wants believers to represent Him properly while on earth rather than seeking to go to heaven prematurely.

Avoiding Ignorance Through God's Knowledge

• Ignorance is defined as the lack of understanding, and many believers' problems stem from their own ignorance.

• The Apostle Peter warns against being like the former ignorant person without knowledge of God.
• Believers need to consult God's instruction manual rather than trying to figure things out on their own.
• Just as household appliances require reading the manual to operate properly, spiritual life requires understanding God's ways.

God's Ways Versus Human Ways

• Isaiah 55:8-9 teaches that God's thoughts are not human thoughts and His ways are not human ways.

• The misconception that believers have about God drives them to feel stuck in life.
• Believers are not supposed to figure everything out but live in obedience to God's plans.
• Many believers make plans without God and then want God to bless their mess.

The Danger of Making Excuses

• There comes a time when excuses become useless and believers must take responsibility.

• Christians should know right from wrong when they have proper discernment.
• The fear of losing a job motivates people to learn and perform, but believers should also fear losing their salvation.
• Falling for the same mistakes repeatedly makes believers look foolish to others.

The Role of the Holy Spirit as Spirit of Truth

• The Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of Truth who leads believers into all truth.

• Many followers today unfortunately don't have a proper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
• The Spirit of Truth will declutter believers' lives, starting with their minds.
• Accepting God's truth rather than what is convenient is essential for spiritual growth.

Understanding Demonization of Believers

• While demons cannot possess believers, they can influence, oppress, and harass them.

• Demonization occurs when believers are disobedient to God's word, allowing devils to capitalize on their ignorance.
• This can result in altered behaviors, such as speaking in tongues and then cursing others.
• Believers can experience oppression-induced sickness when they take on more than they should handle.

The Importance of Saying No and Managing Relationships

• Believers must learn to say both yes and no appropriately and stop making promises they cannot keep.

• People will feel however they want to feel regardless of efforts to please them.
• Believers should not fall in love with people more than with God, then blame God when people betray them.
• It's important not to take people for granted while also maintaining proper boundaries.

Four Types of Knowledge of God

• Intellectual knowledge is gained through study, learning, and doctrine but can lead to arguments and division.

• Experiential knowledge comes from personal encounters and relationships with God through living faith.
• Moral knowledge involves understanding and applying God's moral standards and principles in daily life.
• Revelation knowledge comes directly from God through spiritual insight, visions, dreams, and the Holy Spirit.

The Priority of Relationship with God

• God desires intimate relationship more than just miraculous experiences with believers.

• Believers should dedicate time daily to prayer, Bible reading, worship, and devotion.
• In a 24-hour day, believers should give God at least two hours and 40 minutes, divided throughout the day.
• There are more carnal Christians than spiritual Christians in 2025, with many bound by pornography, lust, and other sins.

Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth

• Believers should excuse themselves from conversations that are going in ungodly directions.

• When conversations turn to gossip, believers should find ways to redirect or remove themselves.
• Instead of participating in negative talk, believers should suggest praying for the people being discussed.
• Stability and consistency in character are essential markers of spiritual maturity.

The Importance of Truth and Honesty

• Jesus declared that knowing the truth will set believers free from bondage of sin, guilt, and spiritual death.

• Many believers are still lying, which connects them to Satan as the father of all lies.
• When uncomfortable answering questions, believers should say they'll get back to the person rather than lie.
• Sometimes God withholds truth from believers because they're not mature enough to handle certain revelations.

Next Steps

• Believers need to prioritize their relationship with God through daily devotion, prayer, and Bible study.

• The church must focus on developing spiritual maturity rather than remaining carnal Christians.
• Members should practice holiness in all areas of life and take accountability for their spiritual growth.
• The congregation should work on stability, consistency, and proper representation of Christ in their daily conduct.