Integrity...Is it Really Necessary? (Part 4)

As believers, and Christian leaders, we are called to be different from the world.  I'm not necessarily saying our appearance, but in our character. 

We've already defined integrity...but here it is again..."the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty and sincerity."

Integrity is doing what God would say is the right thing...even if it costs you.  It means obeying God's law, speaking only truth, and putting the other person ahead of yourself.  It means displaying the character of God in your daily walk.

• A man of integrity will always tell the truth, even if it makes him look bad.
• A man of integrity will never take something that doesn't belong to him, even if there is an implied permission to do so, or it is "commonly understood" to do so.
• A man of integrity will go back to a store to return the change if they give him too much.
• A man of integrity will look for the owner of lost money instead of putting it in his own pocket.
• A man of integrity would rather be cheated than allow another to be cheated in a business deal.
• A man of integrity will do what he says he will do, even if it is difficult to do so.
• A man of integrity will be where he says he will be, even if he has a problem doing so.  If he can't be there, he will call beforehand to let others know.
• A man of integrity will put the needs of the whole before his own.
• A man of integrity will "turn the other cheek" rather than hurt the other person.
• A man of integrity would rather die than deny, or turn away from, his integrity.

Job 27:5 "I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity."

Throughout Job's ordeal, he was given many opportunities and temptations to deny God.  Yet in all this, the Bible says he "sinned not."  Why?  Because even in the midst of torment Job held on to his integrity.

Prayer Focus

God recognized Job's integrity and said to Satan "And he (Job) still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." (Job 2:3)

If someone has integrity, you can count on them in whatever situation.  Why?  Not because they'll do what you want, but they'll do the right thing, whether it is what you want, or not.  Again, they'll do the right thing no matter what it costs them.

Let us pray that integrity will be the "staple" of our Christian walk today.  If you have allowed your integrity to be tarnished...do the right thing...own up to it and confess your faults.  Do not blame others for your actions.  Come clean...face the music...go forward regardless of the consequences and learn from it. 

The Scriptures teach us that "we shall be healed and our sins forgiven." (James 5:16)