1 Samuel 12:3-4 (KJV)
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.
The life of Samuel presents a worthy model and challenge to all ministers of the Gospel and born-again Christians. In Samuel’s farewell address to Israel, He availed himself to public scrutiny, challenging them to testify against him in any area he might have erred as a leader. Samuel not only made himself accountable to the people, but if he had done anyone wrong, he was willing to make it right. He asked them if he had ever broken any promise or failed to deal fairly with them. Their conclusion was unanimous – he had lived a blameless life. And God was a witness to that. To Samuel, that meant they did not seek a king because, as a judge, he had done something ethically wrong. Samuel’s integrity as a prophet and leader was intact. He lived a life that was pleasing to God. Prophet Samuel stood for the truth and God. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, holding our way of life together. It is a doorway to destiny fulfillment and a secret of a successful life. Integrity is doing the right thing in all circumstances, no matter the consequences and whether or not anyone is watching. As we appreciate light in the darkness, our integrity is most appreciated anywhere, especially where evil prevails. It is written in Job 27:6, “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” Integrity was the secret behind Job’s solid destiny. Our lives count, but not without integrity. Therefore, know that our integrity speaks louder than our voice! If we see ourselves as working for God rather than men, we will seek to please God, and the result will be that we will also deal with others truthfully and fairly. Charles Reade once said, “Sow an act, and we reap a habit. Sow a habit, and we reap a character. Sow a character, and we reap a destiny.” Building character and guarding it is easier than rebuilding it after losing it. Dishonesty may provide instant gratification but will never last, and it has deadly consequences. Proverbs 20:17 says, “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” The sin may be sweet now and present that no one will know about it, but the consequences are significant. Satan never tells people about the terrible consequences of their sins.
Beloved, make up your mind to maintain solid integrity to fulfill destiny. Without exception, you must demonstrate integrity in all your endeavors because everything righteous begins and ends with God. Stand for the truth and live a life devoid of offense towards God and man. Live like Samuel because integrity automatically confers God’s blessings, ushering you into supernatural dimensions. Avoid anyone without integrity. If you surround yourself with dishonest people and those willing to cut corners to get ahead, you will find yourself enduring, accepting, and finally adopting their behavior. Indulging in all manner of sin is always a losing proposition. It strips the glory of God away from you and clothes you in rags and shame. No matter what is happening in your life or what the world may be doing, you have to keep doing what is right. Always have your hands clean! Finally, when you feel most tempted to indulge in self-destructive behavior, open the Bible, find inspiration in verses on integrity, and pray to God for His Guidance. Remember, the value of the trust others have in you goes beyond anything measured because it has its rewards.
O Lord, give me the grace to live a life of integrity. Help me resist the temptation to defile my conscience so I do not lose my destiny in Jesus’ Name.