Do you ever find yourself grabbing those chocolate chip cookies off the shelf when you're supposed to be on a diet?

Or backing out of a commitment when something makes it hard to fulfill?

Or maybe you made a personal goal to clean out your basement this year, and you still haven't made time to do it.

Those things might not seem like a big deal, but integrity is about keeping your word in the little things... keeping your word when no one is watching... and keeping your word even when it's hard.

God's character is all about excellence. He always keeps His promises, and He gives you the power to do the same!

John Maxwell said, "We cannot consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with our beliefs."

That's why walking with integrity is something that has to start inside you! Behaviour modification and willpower will only get you so far. If your heart doesn't change first, you'll find yourself going back to old behaviour when the pressure hits.

To change our heart beliefs, we need to go straight to God's Word to see what HIS beliefs are. Meditate on what they would look like in your life. Find promises about your situation or verses that deal with whatever you might be struggling with.

For example, if you're having a hard time being patient when your kids throw a temper tantrum, your spouse forgets to run an errand, or traffic is slow—find some verses about patience.

Try putting the word "I" in the verse to make it personal. Instead of saying, "Love is patient, love is kind," say this: "I am patient and kind! I'm not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. I'm not irritable, and I keep no record of being wronged" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, paraphrased).

There's something powerful about making God's Word up close and personal! In fact, we have something called Walk in the Word to get you started. It's a collection of verses—already personalized for you—to speak over your life. We make a new collection every month! For September, it's all about walking in integrity.

One of this month's declarations comes from Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT):

"I look straight ahead, fixing my eyes on what lies before me. I mark out a straight path for my feet. I don't get sidetracked, and I keep my feet from following evil."‍

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Download your September Walk in the Word collection here! Then put it somewhere you'll see it often, and get into the habit of speaking the truth of God's Word.

If you slip up, don't get discouraged. Integrity is something that takes time to build. And God is on your side, giving you the ability to get back up again. Keep declaring the Word and letting Holy Spirit work with you to transform your heart beliefs!