Do you know what the word integrity means? According to Merriam-Webster it means, “a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility.” My personal definition is, “integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” You see, you may get away with wrong doing because no man is present or privy to it, but you can’t hide it from God’s scope. So, when you stand resolute and refuse to compromise your integrity, knowing that you can get away with it, you’re honoring God. Now it may only be Him and you who know it, but that’s all that matters.
In my opinion, integrity is the marrow of a man. It is a gift from God, even in an unbelieving man. All good things are from God. Our conscience, sense of right and wrong, fairplay and justice come from God.
Some time ago, I had the opportunity to witness the epitome of integrity. By mistake, I had significantly under priced a target sight to customer. He caught the mistake and brought it to my attention. I would not have caught it and he could have easily capitalized, but didn’t. That, my friends, is integrity. It was my mistake, but his firm adherence to a code of especially moral values, would not allow him to dishonor himself or God.
Think about yourself. How often through your day to day life do you find yourself compromising your integrity. There’s a number of reasons for it. It is often times easier to just go with the flow. We want a certain outcome and justify it with “I deserve it, no one will know, I’m not really hurting anyone” and on and on.
The bible has a great deal to say on integrity. Here are a few examples that will help bring the lesson home.
Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 11:3 (NKJV) The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Job 31:6 (NKJV) Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.
Psalms 7:8 (NKJV) The Lord shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
There’s no escaping the ramifications of compromising our integrity. Likewise, there is no denying the rewards for honoring and glorifying God through the maintenance of our integrity. Our convictions should permeate every facet of our lives. It should be ever present in our thoughts, words, actions, the reading and teaching of scripture, evrything. We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ for as long as we reside on this earth. Our integrity directly impacts our witness to the world and consequently how the world sees Jesus Christ. I have been studying Titus this week and in it Paul is expressing to Titus what should be taught to the churches while he is in Crete. Titus 2:7 (NKJV) states, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility”. In this verse the bible is telling us to be consistent in action and belief, to hold reverently to scripture, and to not corrupt His word for our own gain, thus damaging Him and our witness to the world. Paul follows this up in verse 8 by saying,“sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
Integrity, the marrow of a man. If you seek God’s heart and want to be an effective witness to God’s glory, you have to be willing and disciplined in the maintenance of this marrow! God Bless You All.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
