“WHAT INTEGRITY IS”

Recent headlines have taught us that many so called successes were built on a foundation devoid of integrity. As it is in government, corporations so it is in the church, all too often we find a moral laxity behind our pews and, even worse, behind the pulpit. What is integrity?

Integrity means “an unimpaired condition.” It means to be sound, complete and solid. You have integrity if you keep your word even when no one checks up on you. Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy. If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say.What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person with integrity does not manipulate others. He or she is not prone to arrogance or self-praise. Integrity even invites constructive and necessary criticism because it applauds accountability. It’s sound. It’s solid. It’s complete. Integrity is rock-like. It won’t crack when it has to stand alone, and it won’t crumble though the pressure mounts. Integrity keeps one from fearing the white light of examination or resisting the exacting demands of close scrutiny. It’s honesty at all costs.

But there are some things integrity is not. It is not sinless perfection. A person with integrity does not live a life absolutely free of sin. No one does. But one with integrity quickly acknowledges his failures and doesn’t hide the wrong. Integrity is essential in the church, in the marketplace, and especially in the home. When you walk in integrity, you leave it as a legacy for your children to follow (Proverbs 20:7). When you work with integrity, you honor the Lord. Regardless of your profession, your character and conduct are godly.

You want to stand out and alone? Start demonstrating integrity in all you do, in your relationships, doing what’s right when no one is looking. It takes real courage to stand strong with integrity in a culture weakened by pietism and pretence. Start today.