INTEGRITY

The word integrity comes from the Latin root integer and implies a wholeness of person. Just as we would talk about a whole number, so also we can talk about a whole person who is undivided. A person of integrity is living rightly, not divided, nor being a different person in different circumstances. A person of integrity is the same person in private that he or she is in public. Integrity from a Biblical viewpoint has to do with being morally sound. A person with integrity knows what is important to God and consistently lives in light of what is important to Him. Integrity is like the foundation of a house, if it is unstable, the entire house may come apart when it comes under pressure.

Integrity is not determined by circumstances, based on credentials and is not to be confused with reputation. A person with the integrity of heart is a morally and spiritually healthy individual. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talked about those who are “pure in heart” (Matt. 5:8), implying an undividedness in following God’s commands. Integrity, therefore, not only implies an undividedness, but a moral purity as well.

The Bible is full of references to integrity, character, and moral purity. Consider just a few Old Testament references to integrity. In 1 Kings 9:4, God instructs Solomon to walk with “integrity of heart and uprightness” as his father did. David says in 1 Chronicles 29:17, “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.” And in Psalm 78:70- 72 we read that “David shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skilful hands.”

The book of Proverbs provides an abundance of verses on integrity. Proverbs 10:9 says that, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” A person of integrity will have a good reputation and not have to fear that he or she will be exposed or found out. Integrity provides a safe path through life.

Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Proverbs is a book of wisdom. The wise man or woman will live a life of integrity, which is a part of wisdom. Those who follow corruption or falsehood will be destroyed by the decisions and actions of their lives.

Proverbs 20:7 says, “A righteous man who walks in his integrity; How blessed are his sons after him.” Integrity leaves a legacy. A righteous man or woman walks in integrity and provides a path for his or her children to follow.

All of these verses imply that we must have a level of discernment of God’s will in our lives. That would certainly require that people of integrity be students of the Word, and then diligently seek to apply God’s Word to their lives. The book of James admonishes us to be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).

A lack of integrity may take different forms:

· Inconsistency between a person’s words and actions (saying one thing and doing another). Verbal inconsistency expresses itself as a lack of honesty (Acts 5:1- 10). Honesty is without question an absolutely essential quality of a Christian.

· Inconsistency in every area – no consistency/integrity among a person’s val-ues, words and actions. Such a person is out of touch with himself and reality; he or she is not functioning in the real world. They live in their own created reality. The common denominator in all the different forms of a lack of integrity is simply: inconsistency.

How can we develop and maintain integrity? Integrity is developed as we learn and practice certain skills:

· The first skill is learning to develop a deep personal honesty through radical selfconfrontation. A person of integrity does not make excuses or blame others for his shortcomings.

· If we would become persons of integrity we must first develop proper moral principles. Since God is the source of morality, the proper moral standards are based on His character as revealed in His Word and reinforced in us by the Holy Spirit.

· If we would become persons of integrity, God’s standards must become our standards; His values must become our values; we must learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

· In order to do this we must learn “the fear of the Lord” – we must develop a healthy respect for God. “The fear of the Lord” teaches us to love what is good and hate what is evil (Rom. 12:13). God’s Word must be effectively assimilated in our heart, mind and conscience so that it will influence our thoughts, words, actions and attitudes.

· To become persons of integrity we need to realize that we can’t live the Christian life in our own strength. We need God’s enablement; therefore must learn how to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. In order to be controlled by God’s Spirit we must submit ourselves to God. We need to allow God to make the final decision for us based on His wise and loving Word.

· If we wish to be persons of integrity we must develop genuine humility. What you see is what you get. We are not pretending to be some-one we are not. A humble person is a realistic, teachable person.

· If we want to become persons of integrity, we must learn the wisdom of being personally accountable to others for our moral and spiritual development. It takes others to bring out the best in us and we all need accountability partners that serve as an encouragement and a reality check.

Can we measure our integrity? If so, how? Consider the following ten questions:

· What are you like when no one else is around?

· How do you treat others who can’t benefit you?

· How sincere, humble and transparent are you?

· Are you the same person when you are with different people?

· Are you the same person in public as in private?

· Do you quickly admit to yourself and others when you’re wrong?

· Do you subscribe to God’s absolute moral standards in His Word?

· Do you talk to people or about them behind their backs?

· Are you accountable to at least one person for what you think, say and do?

· Do you submit to God’s Spirit and seek to please Him in all you do? May we become who God wants us to be: Children of God living with integrity!