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 exemplary life of Prophet Samuel serves as a significant benchmark and aspiration for all ministers of the Gospel and born-again Christians. Samuel opens his farewell address by recognizing his lifelong commitment to serving the people of Israel, whom God had entrusted to his care. In his final address to Israel, he subjected himself to public accountability, inviting them to point out any areas where he may have made mistakes as a leader. He inquired if he had ever violated any commitments or acted unfairly towards them. Their unquestionable conclusion was that he had undeniably lived a faultless life with Divine affirmation. To Samuel, that meant they did not desire a king because, as a judge, he had done something ethically immoral. Samuel’s life epitomized integrity, consistently treating others with fairness and kindness. His exemplary conduct shone brightly, setting a robust example in challenging circumstances. Studying Prophet Samuel’s teachings will give us the wisdom and guidance to live prophetically in our current crisis. By following his words, we will confidently grow in faith and act as beacons of hope in a world needing Jesus Christ.
Integrity is the quality of honesty and 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! When we recognize that we are working for God rather than just serving human interests, our focus shifts toward pleasing God. As a result, we naturally conduct ourselves truthfully and fairly in our interactions with others. 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.”
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. Because if you surround yourself with the dishonest and those willing to cut corners to get ahead, you will find yourself enduring, accepting, and finally adopting their behavior. 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, not to lose my destiny in Jesus’ Name.