A Call To Spiritual Integrity

Lesson objective

To identify examples of double-mindedness in spiritual life and apply practical steps to cultivate spiritual integrity - wholehearted devotion to God.

The foundational text of scripture for our lesson:

James 1:6-8 (ERV): “But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt Him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. People like that are (double-minded) thinking two different things at the same time. They can never decide what to do. So they should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.”

Lesson Introduction

James 4:8 calls believers to “purify your hearts, you double-minded,” emphasizing God’s desire for undivided loyalty and wholehearted devotion. Our lesson focuses on understanding and cultivating spiritual integrity - spiritual single-mindedness in daily life. James addresses his readers as “double-minded,” describing people whose loyalties are divided between God and worldly pursuits. Double-mindedness leads to instability; to an ineffective spiritual life, as faith vacillates between commitment and compromise. Purifying the heart involves recognizing inner distractions and submitting fully to God, thereby moving away from a spiritually conflicted life. 

Let's define "Spiritual Integrity":

“Spiritual integrity” is the wholeness and consistency of a person’s spiritual life and personal life under God’s rule, where beliefs, values, and actions align with God’s Word; living an undivided life before God, so that a person’s faith, motives, and behavior are integrated rather than split between conflicting loyalties. Spiritual integrity includes honesty and a steady commitment to do what is right because it pleases God, not merely because others are watching.

The characteristics of spiritual integrity:

• Wholeness: a heart that is complete and not divided between God and competing idols or desires.​
• Consistency: actions that reliably reflect one’s stated beliefs and spiritual convictions in both public and private life.​
• God-centered motivation: obedience flowing from love for God and a desire to align with His character, commands, and will.

Spiritual integrity and double-mindedness are opposites: spiritual integrity is an undivided, wholehearted devotion to God, while double-mindedness is a divided, unstable heart trying to cling to both God and the world.

Proverbs 10:9 (TPT): “The one who walks in integrity will experience a fearless confidence in life, but the one who is devious will eventually be exposed.”

Proverbs 28:18 (ESV): “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he (she) who is crooked in his (her) ways will suddenly fall.”

James 4:7-8 (ERV): “Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.”

Examining Double-Mindedness

"Double-mindedness" literally means being “two-souled” or having divided spiritual priorities. Examples of double-mindedness include trying to please both God and worldly influences, wavering in faith, and hesitating between obedience and sin. This condition hinders intimacy with God and spiritual growth, echoing Jesus Christ’s words: “No one can serve two masters” {Matthew 6:24}.“How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money (mammon)!”

Purify Our Heart

"Purification of the heart" focuses on inner renewal by confessing and forsaking divided loyalties, repenting from “spiritual adultery” {James 4:4}, and returning wholeheartedly to God. “You people aren't faithful to God! Don't you know if you love the world, you are God's enemies? And if you decide to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”

Here are some practical “Actionable Steps” we can take:

• Regular self-examination to identify sources of divided loyalty.
• Confession and prayer for forgiveness and restoration.
• Prioritize God in decisions, relationships, and pursuits.
• Immerse yourself in scripture and worship to cultivate undivided devotion.
• Respond with humility and a willingness to be corrected and transformed by God’s Spirit.

Lesson Summary

Our lesson emphasizes God’s call for believers to spiritual integrity – to forsake divided loyalties and pursue wholeness. Double-mindedness refers to wavering between spiritual commitment and worldly distractions, which leads to instability in faith. By examining biblical guidance and implementing practices such as confession, self-reflection, and prioritizing God, believers discover how to overcome spiritual conflict and grow toward deeper intimacy and maturity in their walk with Jesus Christ. Our lesson examined the contrast between spiritual integrity and double-mindedness as taught in the Scriptures. "Double-mindedness," marked by wavering faith and instability, undermines spiritual growth and peace. 

"Spiritual integrity," however, represents a consistent, wholehearted commitment to God’s truth, resulting in strength and maturity. By fostering spiritual integrity, believers can overcome doubt, division, and hesitation, standing firm in their faith and walking in obedient trust.