Integrity

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” –Proverbs 10:9

Food For Thought… The old adage states, “honesty is the best policy.” For many of us, that value was taught from the very beginning in our homes. And over the years, whether we were living it out or suffering the consequences of violating it, we found that practicing honesty always resulted in what was best for us. Honesty wasn’t always the easy road to travel…in fact, sometimes being honest had some unpleasant short-term consequences. But in he end, telling the truth always proved to be right.

The Watchman Examiner once reported that when Henry Clay was about to introduce a certain bill in Congress, a friend said, “If you do, Clay, it will kill your chance for the presidency.” “But is the measure right?” Clay asked. And on being assured it was right said, “I would rather be right than be president.” That is the kind of character we all admire!

Proverbs calls it being a person of integrity. Integrity is a word that is talked about a great deal in our society. But just what is it? The dictionary defines it as fidelity to moral principles; honesty; soundness; completeness. A great working definition of integrity is who you are when no one is looking.

Consider these insights that shed further light on character and integrity:

A famous Malay Proverb states, “A precious stone; though it falls into the mire, does not thereby lose its brilliance.”

Phillips Brooks, a nineteenth century clergyman said, “Character is made in the small moments of our lives.”

Macaulay said, “The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do, if he knew he would never be found out.”

The word integrity comes from the word integer, which refers to a whole number. It is being a whole person. It means there is a congruence between what you say you believe and how you actually live. It is the marriage of what you say and what you do.

And God’s wisdom from Proverbs says that living as a person of integrity has the priceless benefit of security: The man of integrity walks securely. Or, as the Message says, “Honesty lives confident and carefree.” When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

Not so with the one who has concealed or manipulated the truth. Security is the last thing they will enjoy. Their lives will be racked with guilt, anxiety, and fear of exposure. And in the end, Proverbs says they will be found out.

Integrity…honesty…wholeness! What a tremendous way to live. The person who values and practices integrity will live with confidence, no matter what. They can expect to live under the blessing and favor of God. They will be unburdened by the pending doom of dishonesty. And at the end of their lives, they will be able to look back on a life that was characterized by wisdom and success.

But not only will their own lives benefit from integrity, their impact will be felt all around. Here are several other consequences of the honest lifestyle:

One, they will be a powerful example for their children of the blessings of honesty. Their kids will not only hear that honesty is always the best policy, they will see why it is so. A powerful example will be set for the kind of lifestyle they will want to emulate.

George Munzing, a minister, tells of a time he went to counsel a family about their son’s drug use. The father was distraught as he described the impact of drugs upon his relationship with his son. He said, “The thing that bothers me most about his being into drugs is the fact that drugs have made him a liar.” Moments later the phone rang and his wife went to answer. She came back into the room with the message that the call was for the father. He told her, “Tell him I am not at home.” Munzing then commented that drugs had not made the boy a liar; the father had.

Two, they will exert a forceful and effective witness on a watching world that tends to gray the lines between black and white. Friends, co-workers and onlookers will be drawn to that kind of wholeness, and even enemies will ultimately have to acknowledge the upstanding life of the virtuous person.

John Maxwell, in his book, Becoming a Person of Influence, writes, “When the people around you know that you’re a person of integrity, they know that you want to influence them because of the opportunity to add value to their lives. They don’t have to worry about your motives.” (Pp. 26-27)

Three, a life free from deceit and manipulation will prevent the devil from gaining a foothold. In Ephesians 6:13-14, Paul says putting on the belt of truth is the first and foremost foundational piece in armoring up for our spiritual battle with Satan. In wrapping ourselves in truthfulness, we will be able to take our stand against his onslaught and in the end, when it is all said and done, we will still be standing.

Integrity! It’s not always the easy way. It’s not always the way that will bring approval and popularity. But in the end, it is the only way to live. As some wise person has rightly stated, “Character is a victory, not a gift.”

Prayer... “Father, you are the God of all truth. Help me from this day forward to live as a truthful person, no matter what the consequences. May my life shine as an example of integrity for all to see, reflecting the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

One More Thing…  “No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character.”  —John Morely