Integrity

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man who walks in his integrity; how blessed are his children after him.

Integrity in the Bible is translated to mean “honesty and an adherence to a pattern of good works.” Walking in integrity keeps us true to God, ourselves, and others as we live with God in the center of our lives.

Living with integrity can be challenging as we battle our own sinful nature and a culture that often promotes taking the easy way - the shortcut. The Gospel calls us to do the opposite. Christians should not compromise because we serve God rather than men or ourselves.  

Jesus is our model for integrity. Jesus was tempted just as we are, yet He never sinned. He fasted in the wilderness for forty days and was confronted by Satan at His weakest points to try to break His integrity. As “new creations” in Christ, we are called to be like Jesus by following His pattern of obedience and integrity.

 Proverbs 19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

Our power to walk in integrity comes from God. We can only live with true integrity by His power, which He freely gives to all who are His. When we make God our highest priority, we live with divine order and blessing. Lapses of integrity bring disorder and invite the work of the Enemy into our lives.

 Integrity leads to “security and freedom” before God.

 Proverbs 10:19 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”

Integrity is foundational to being a person of truth and trust.  The Enemy is crafty and looks for our vulnerabilities. Walking in integrity brings us protection. Sin has a way of isolating us, making us feel alone. Those who live in unrepentant sin often worry what will happen when their sin comes to light.  Those who walk with integrity do not fear. They have no reason to hide or worry.

Integrity means that we speak the truth in love. Words are the currency of the heart. By them, we reveal our moral wealth or poverty. For some, a person’s word is gold. We trust what they say is true and that they will keep their promises, even at great cost. Keeping our word is a measure of our integrity. Christians are called to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). Truthful lips are the fruit of a heart that is filled with God and His Word.

Christian integrity does not mean we become sinless. Yet, our failings do not destroy the Lord’s faithfulness to us. Though “we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Tim 2:13). God wants us to develop godly integrity because He has integrity. This requires us to put to death ourselves and step away from environments or people who attempt to sway us away from what Scripture teaches. As Christians who want to serve the Lord, may we rise to pursue such an honorable life, for God’s glory, and the benefit of others.

Stay Hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6