Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: The Seven Companions Of Faith, Part Four | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: March 19, 2020
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

This episode, led by Pastor Nancy Dufresne, delves deeply into the theme of moral excellence (virtue) as an essential companion to faith. Drawing from Second Peter 1:5 and using the narrative of Joseph as an illustration, Nancy Dufresne teaches on the foundational role of integrity, honor, and upright living for sustaining and empowering a life of faith. She emphasizes that faith alone is not enough—faith requires support structures like moral excellence to remain strong and effective, particularly in times of testing and need.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Seven Companions of Faith

• Scripture Focus: 2 Peter 1:5

  • The passage lists seven virtues to add to faith; this episode focuses on virtue (moral excellence).

• Metaphor: Faith as a bridge that needs supports

  • “Faith is a bridge, if we could say it that way. And we have seven supports that are listed here in second Peter that are to be under the bridge of faith. And without these supports in place, the bridge of faith is compromised.” (00:15)

2. What is Moral Excellence?

• Definition: Moral excellence encompasses integrity, honor, honesty, faithfulness, and trustworthiness.

  • “That word virtue in this passage means moral excellence. So God is a moral God. His word will lead us into a moral life, because that's the best life.” (01:00)

• Necessity for All:

  • Being anointed, called, or part of Christ’s body does not substitute for living morally.
  • “Just because you may have an anointing on your life, that anointing is no substitute for moral excellence.” (01:38)
  • “You have a greater demand upon your life for moral excellence [in ministry], because the devil's going to attack you in a specific way because you're a target for him.” (01:58)

• No Substitutions:

  • Faith alone—regardless of spiritual activity or success—cannot replace the requirement for upright living.
  • “You don't want to play with what's wrong because it will hook you in a way that you'll never realize you got hooked.” (03:15)
  • “I don't care how many faith scriptures you confess. If you're not going to live clean, you're going to have problems and you're going to injure your life and people around you.” (03:33)

3. Integrity and Honor as the Heart of Morality

• Honor in Relationships

  • Being dishonorable to those around you (spouse, family, boss) undermines faith.
  • “If you're dishonorable towards your spouse, you're going to have faith issues. Your faith is going to be compromised because moral excellence is a support under that bridge of faith.” (04:05)

• Personal Responsibility

  • “Even though others may not do or treat us right, never dismisses us from doing what's right.” (05:03)
  • “We don't take our cues from people. We take our cues from the word.” (05:41)

• On Forgiveness and Offense

  • “Did you know God forgave you before you repented at the new birth? ... To be offended is a lack of integrity. Why? Because God's not offended and we're equaling Him.” (06:30–07:15)
  • “No, don't say you can't [forgive]. Just say it the way it is. You won't. You can. And thank God. The Holy Ghost will help you.” (07:42)

• Enabling

  • The Holy Spirit empowers believers to maintain a morally excellent life.
  • “He did not leave it to your willpower to live a life of moral excellence. We have the help of the Word and the Holy Ghost because He is in us. We are enabled to forgive anyone, to walk free from offense toward anyone…” (08:00)

4. Integrity Guides Decision-Making

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 11:3

  • "The integrity of the upright shall guide them.” (08:36)

• Practical Guidance:

  • If uncertain, ask “What would integrity do?”
    • “The Holy Ghost isn't going to lead you apart from integrity. ...Ask yourself, what would integrity do? Because you're guided by, by integrity.” (08:55)

5. Integrity as Protection Against the Enemy

• “Be men of integrity with no weak spots.” (09:15, quoting Phillips translation)
• “How many of you know the devil can't enter through a strong place. He can only enter through a weak place.” (09:34)
• Maintaining integrity “means there’s no point of compromise that the devil can get in through.” (09:39)

6. The Story of Joseph: Integrity Through Adversity

• Summary

  • Joseph, despite being mistreated, sold into slavery, and imprisoned, kept his heart right, maintained his attitude, and walked in integrity, honor, and moral excellence.

• Key Points:

  • He did not blame God for others’ actions.
    • “Don't you ever blame God for what men did? God had nothing to do with men's actions that are out of line with righteousness.” (10:04)
  • He didn’t let oppressive surroundings get inside him.
    • “He defines himself from the inside out, not from the outside in.” (12:29)

• Fruit of Integrity:

  • Because Joseph kept himself right, God could use him to help others even while he was still in prison.
    • “Because he didn't get bitter, God could still ... give him revelation that helped others.” (15:07)
  • When the time came, Joseph’s integrity qualified him for great responsibility.
    • “It is your moral excellence, your integrity, your level of honor that determines whether you can be trusted with greater degrees of prosperity or not.” (17:39)

• Memorable Quote:

  • “It’s not money that qualifies you for money. … I never will exchange honor for money. Don’t you ever.” (17:39, 18:37)

7. Moral Excellence and Money Matters

• Financial Integrity:

  • Integrity is crucial in financial dealings; being dishonest, owing and dodging debts, or manipulating others in church for monetary gain all compromise faith.
  • “You must deal honestly with all men at all times if we're going to see increase in our life. If our faith for finances is going to work.” (19:23)
  • “Don't compromise your integrity just so you can hold on to your money because it'll cost you more than what that money would have been.” (10:07)

• Church Context:

  • “God didn't send you to a local church so that you can make a business deal. God didn't send you to a local church so you could further your clientele.” (21:11)

8. Everyday Actions Qualify Us

• Qualification for Promotion:
  • God examines our everyday dealings, our words, and how we treat others to determine if we are ready for more responsibility or blessing.
  • “You don't have to be in a top spot to qualify for the top spot. Joseph didn't climb any ladder to get to the top. All he did was deal with himself and ... have integrity and honor and moral excellence in very hard places.” (22:06–22:36)

9. Taking Responsibility for Debts

• Dealing with Creditors:

  • “If you owe something, you don't dodge them. That means that you don't quit taking their phone calls, quit showing up. That means you answer the phone and you say, I'm going to pay that, I'm asking you for mercy. I will work it out with you.” (23:43)

• Attitude with Obligations:

  • “Don't get upset because someone is reminding you that you owe money. If you get upset because ... your insides aren't clean, your insides aren't right.” (24:22)

10. Everyday Honesty in Purchases

• Specific Example:
  • “Don't go buy something with the intent of returning it after you've used it for your function. You're dishonest. ... That's what a thief does.” (25:03–26:05)
  • “If I ever use something, I never return it. Never.” (25:36)

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “Faith is a bridge... And we have seven supports that are listed here in second Peter that are to be under the bridge of faith. And without these supports in place, the bridge of faith is compromised.” (00:15)
• “Just because you may have an anointing on your life, that anointing is no substitute for moral excellence.” (01:38)
• “Even though others may not treat us right or do right, we aren't dismissed from doing right or being right.” (05:12)
• “Offense is a lack of integrity. To be offended is a lack of integrity. Why? Because God's not offended and we're equaling Him.” (07:05)
• “If you're going to stir up feelings of offense by keeping them warm, nursing them … then that thing's just going to hook you. But if you'll just let it go. Let it go. Let it go.” (08:21)
• “The integrity of the upright shall guide them.” (08:36)
• “He did not become bitter at God by him sitting for 12 years where a man put him.” (10:34)
• “You define yourself from the inside out, not from the outside in.” (12:29)
• “It's not money that qualifies you for money. It is your moral excellence, your integrity, your level of honor that determines whether you can be trusted with greater degrees of prosperity or not.” (17:39)
• “Don't you ever exchange your honor for money.” (18:37)
• “Don't go buy something with the intent of returning it after you've used it for your function. You're dishonest. ... That's what a thief does.” (25:03)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Moral Excellence Defined & Its Necessity: 00:15 – 05:12
• Forgiveness and Offense: 06:30 – 08:21
• Integrity as a Guide / Proverbs 11:3: 08:36 – 09:15
• Story of Joseph and Integrity in Adversity: 09:39 – 19:19
• Financial Integrity and Church: 19:23 – 22:06
• Practical Instructions on Everyday Integrity: 23:43 – 26:17

Closing Tone

Pastor Nancy Dufresne delivers her message with warm encouragement, practical wisdom, and a clear call to higher standards of Christian living:

• “Let's bump our moral excellence right up to our faith. We love what's clean. We love what's right. We love what's pure in every single arena.” (26:17)

Summary:
This episode powerfully teaches that faith requires support—most crucially, the foundation of moral excellence. Nancy Dufresne makes it clear that integrity, honor, and uprightness are non-negotiable supports for faith, and that prosperity, spiritual effectiveness, and relational peace depend not just on faith, but on clean, honest living shaped by God’s word. The illustration of Joseph stands as a testament to the power of living from the inside out and holding to integrity in all circumstances.