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Integrity defined 

• the quality or state of being of sound moral principle, uprightness, honesty, and sincerity
• firm adherence to a code of moral values; incorruptible
• to be undivided without duplicity or pretence
• to be consistent - what is on the inside is shown on the outside
• from the Latin word “integritas” (the mathematics word “integer”) which means to “be whole and unified”, “to be complete and open”.

A Person of Integrity

God wants us to be people of integrity, people of honor, people who are trustworthy. A person who is demonstrating integrity is open and honest.   He does not have any hidden agenda or ulterior motives.  He is true to his word, keeps his commitments, and is accountable for his thoughts, feelings and actions.People of integrity are the same in private as they are in public. They do not go out and treat their friends and coworkers with respect and kindness and then go home and treat their family rudely or disrespectful. 

When you have integrity, you will do what is right whether anybody is watching or not. 1 Samuel 16:7 ….man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Integrity means obeying God’s law, speaking only truth. It means displaying the character of God in our daily walk and in all areas of our lives. 

• A person of integrity will never take something that does not belong to him, even if there is an implied permission to do so, or it is “commonly understood” to do so.  (taking office supplies from work, long lunches/coffee breaks, claiming improper deductions, ignoring copyright laws)
• A person of integrity will go back to a store to return the change if they give him too much.
• A person of integrity will look for the owner of lost money instead of putting it in his own pocket.
• A person of integrity would not allow another to be cheated in a business deal.
• A person of integrity honors his commitments.  If he has a problem doing so, he will let the other party know.
• A person of integrity will put the needs of others before his own.
• A person of integrity is a person of principle.  It means more than having principles.  It means the courage to stand up for your convictions when it costs you.
• A person of integrity would rather die than deny, or turn away from, his integrity.
• A person of integrity fulfills his/her promises. Being true to one’s word, especially when doing so is costly (in terms of money, convenience, physical welfare, etc.) is a core characteristic of integrity.
• A person of integrity speaks the truth, is honest, and does not lie.
• A person of integrity is a person of sincerity. He hates hypocrisy.
• A person of integrity manifests a wholeness of character, including kindness, compassion, mercy, and gentleness.
• A person of integrity is committed to the pursuit and maintenance of justice and fairness.
• A person of integrity is humble. He/she shuns pride and haughtiness.
• A person of integrity is law-abiding. He/she plays by the rules, both in the Bible and the laws of the land.  
   

Biblical models of Integrity 

 Job 

He was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Blameless – spiritually and morally sound, not necessarily perfect. Upright – straight, not crooked. Feared God – reverent fear, honored and obeyed.  GodShunned evil – removed himself from evil, does not stay in the vicinity of evil .

All through Job’s ordeal, he was given many opportunities and temptations to deny God. Yet in all this, the Bible says he “sinned not.” Why, because even in the midst of torment, Job held on to his integrity. 

David 

How could David after all that he did be called a man of integrity?  Psalm 51:6-12  “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. …Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” 

David depended on God’s forgiving and cleansing grace to make him a man of integrity. He depended on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to walk in integrity and to maintain it. 

 Joseph 

Even though his brothers treated him wrongly, selling him into slavery, he maintained his relationship with the Lord, and continued to walk in integrity.  Joseph did not suddenly receive integrity as a gift from God when he needed it to serve Pharaoh; he lived in integrity throughout his life.  Genesis 39:10 “And though she (Potiphar’s wife) spoke to him (Joseph) day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Jesus 

When Jesus speaks or bears witness concerning a person or any particular state of affairs, or expresses an opinion or issues a warning, he can always be counted on for accuracy and honesty. When Jesus promises, he can always be trusted to follow through. He will never withhold from us you what is needed for our spiritual growth.  If he reveals something, it must be essential for our us, even if it is painful and demanding.  

Jesus, more than anyone else, walked “blamelessly” in this life and never deviated from the path of righteousness. He “does what is right and speaks truth in his heart” Jesus never has and never will “slander with his tongue” nor do “evil to his neighbor”.  Jesus never signed a contract.  He was a man of His word. 

When He said He would come, He did.  When He vowed to heal someone, He followed through.  There were no “to-from” memos or by Jesus to cover his tracks, no reason to put things in writing or on paper.  Jesus was his word.  The Bible speaks of Jesus in these terms:  “In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  It does not say, in the beginning was a contract or in the beginning there was a memo. Jesus, the faithful and true witness, never paused to ponder the personal consequences of his words or deeds. He spoke the truth even if it led to persecution, slander and, ultimately, death.

Integrity Development

How can we develop spiritual integrity? 

1. Value spiritual integrity as something precious to guard.

1 Kings 9:4. - “As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did.

Proverbs 4:23 - “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  

2. Decide beforehand never to compromise or be defiled

Psalm 15:1-2 - “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”

3. Be on your guard at all times. Guard your mind, mouth, eyes and the little things.

Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things.

Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a woman.

Proverbs 21:23 – “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”

Luke 16:10 – “”Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  

4. Fellowship with and be accountable to other believers

James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”

Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”       

1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Bad company corrupts good character”.”

Sometimes it is easy to not be a person of integrity but we must make a commitment to ourselves.  Do not settle for being mediocre…strive to be the very best individual that you can be…not one who complains constantly and does only enough to get by…remember…we are representing the Almighty God.  

Living our lives with integrity means that anyone at any given time could peek into your lives and we will feel at ease. After all, there is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of…We are not perfect, but by God’s grace and obedience to Him, we are living our lives with integrity.

This is the Bible Study lesson shared by Fatima Sapa on July 20th, 2008. Fatima is a faithful and active member of the Grace Baptist Church in Calgary. One of her life’s passion is digging into God’s word and sharing this with others.