Proverbs 10:9(NLT) People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
Integrity is one of the most important virtues in life as demonstrated in our anchored Scripture. It has been confirmed that integrity is a preserver of life and destiny. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is the state of being just, upright or pure. Integrity covers the whole moral character. It means doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances, whether or not anyone is watching. It takes having the courage to do the right thing, no matter what the consequences will be. It is written in Job 27:4-6 “my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies. I will never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die. I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.”
As believers, we need to demonstrate integrity in all aspects of our endeavors including our speech, time management, finance, relationship with the opposite sex, in keeping promises and paying of vows. Integrity, although costly, has great rewards and these include God vouching for us(Job 2:3), keeps us from falling into sin (Genesis 39:9), brings peace (Psalm 37:37), guides our steps (Proverbs 11:3), preserves our lives (Psalm 25:21-22), and brings generational blessings (Proverbs 20:7). In today’s society honesty and integrity are difficult to find. Society rationalizes dishonesty, it is considered as something necessary to get by in this world. Today, many hide under the mask that “nobody can be perfect” and so, they continue the downward journey of sin and degradation. Dishonesty may provide instant gratification in the moment but it will never last. Dishonest people begin to believe the lies they build around themselves and they start to lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies, eventually alienate themselves from God. Many tell lies just to please or impress others by making themselves look good, others do it just to hurt others, but it is better to suffer from man’s displeasure than from God’s wrath. The Bible teaches that purity of conduct includes truthfulness and that we should be truthful in our representation of ourselves. Integrity will always stand the test of time but the crooked will soon be exposed. God wants His children to have a character which upholds the highest standards of honesty. By avoiding crooked paths, lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth, we will become known as trustworthy. There is an absolute Integrity! He is God! Everything that is right begins and ends with Him. So, when we stand for integrity, we stand for Him.
Beloved, no matter your claims, if you are not a man or woman of integrity, your Christianity is questionable. When you are ridiculed for being honest, remember that this can be a sign that you are indeed doing what is right in God’s eyes. God can’t do anything but support that which is just because that is who He is. In essence, he who chooses to stand for integrity chooses to stand for everything God believes in. You become a supporter of His cause. No matter what the world may be doing, you and I must keep doing what is right. Do not lose your ability to be trusted as a person of integrity, which is the most valuable quality anyone can have in their life. Pay attention to those you have chosen to associate with, because your character will be judged by the character of your friends. Never dismiss even those little acts of dishonesty for if someone is dishonest in any aspect of his/her life, you can be guaranteed that he/she will be dishonest in many aspects of his/her life. Finally, when you feel most tempted to indulge in self-destructive behavior, open the Bible, find inspiration in verses on integrity and pray. Remember, success will indeed come and go, but integrity is forever.
O Lord, thank You for Your Word, help me to always live a life of integrity and uprightness in Jesus’ Name.