Who do you think of when you say the word "integrity?" Perhaps you're thinking of a Bible hero or a person who has made a lasting impression on your life.
Once you've encountered a real taste of integrity, you'll never forget it.
A ministry of integrity will be marked by good and godly people. Christian leaders must be known as people in whom there is no deceit. Just like Philip's brother, Nathanael, you can't hide integrity. It will keep showing up in your life.
If it's the only thing that can be said about your leadership...it's enough.
Integrity is a garment we wear. It is interwoven with threads of character that make our garment appear to be seamless. Thus, we allow the Holy Spirit to tailor stitch us for maximum coverage in all areas of our life.
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." Alan K. Simpson - former US Senator
I'm persuaded that integrity should be at the top of the list for every Christian...especially leaders. Honestly, you don't have to think about living a lifestyle of integrity if it's already in you.
"Christian leaders will never lead people to a height they have never climbed personally." Stan Toler
Webster's Dictionary says that "integrity" includes three aspects: incorruptibility, soundness, and completeness.
Basically, personal integrity starts with your every day habits.
In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell says "Anyone can say he has integrity, but action is the real indicator of character. Your character determines who you are. Who you are determines what you see. What you see determines what you do. That's why you can never separate a leader's character from his actions."
Is there anything you're lying about right now?
Remember when your mom told you to wash your hands before dinner. Sure, you ran to the restroom and turned on the faucet...but did you actually use soap, lather up and rinse? When you came to the table and she asked, "did you wash your hands?" You have a choice at that moment...do you say "yes" or "no?" Only you know. (Of course, if your mom was like my mom...she had eyes in the back of her head...plus the Lord always seemed to tell her about my actions and whereabouts.)
Why is she telling you to wash your hands? It's a personal discipline. She knows that you will need to develop good hygiene while eating. Plus, personal integrity is born in the practices of personal discipline: washing your hands today, telling the truth tomorrow.
