Christians and Integrity

Integrity is commonly known as doing the right thing when nobody is around.

The word "integrity" comes from the Latin adjective integer which means whole, complete. In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, one may judge that others "have integrity", meaning they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.

When God created man and woman, he created them with a purpose. He gave them a command and he trusted them to carry them out. They were created in the image and likeness of God. He entrusted to their hands the all that he created, all that was good.

They were supposed to be people with integrity. But they failed to keep up to it. And from the time of the fall integrity was hard to find. But through all that, there are people who have been determined and have demonstrated integrity and have fulfilled the purpose of God placing them on this earth and calling them to serve him.

Integrity is about trust.

Every one of us who are called Christians is here with a purpose. God calls because he trusts us that we will do what he entrusts to us. Most of the time he doesn’t give us the easiest thing to do, but the most difficult. While Adam failed, and Jonah failed, Abraham was a man of integrity. He kept the trust God had in him.

Can people trust us with what they say, with what they want us to do? Some can’t go and speak anywhere as what they speak in confidentiality is spoken to others. What a superior speaks to his subordinate is discussed in the lunch room, a family problem is made public, and a personal issue is made fun of. Are we like that? So, St. Paul says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Col 3:17). So if God is the focus then our words will be trustworthy and it will be revealed in our actions. 

Integrity is about truthfulness.

The words we speak. We are to speak what we mean and what we can keep. May your yes be a yes and your no a no (Mathew 5:37). Sometimes we say I will definitely visit you, I will definitely help you. Then on the other hand we at times say one thing to one person and then say something else to another or hold back part of what we are supposed to communicate. Sometimes we mean what we say but we don’t do it. But when God’s promises are not fulfilled then we question God. Ananias and Saphira failed to be truthful. But Peter and John were truthful to the crippled at the temple. Today truthfulness and honesty is hard to be found. We don’t know at times whom to trust. That why the bible tells us, “Do not lie to each other”(Col 3:9). So in today’s context the bible remains a challenge to us.

Integrity is about standing for what is right.

People of integrity are straight forward no matter in whose presence they are. There principles will be the same. They don’t change their stand depending on the person. This is where many face a lot of problems and they fail. They have to please those they like or their superiors and fail to stand up for what is right. When David who was powerful as a king wanted to take a census of Israel, Joab opposed it saying, “Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” (1 Chronicles 21:1-8). It is in tough times that our integrity is called for. It is here that we stand out in the crowd.

Integrity is about being consistent

Polycarp bishop of Smyrna (70-155AD) was a martyr. When he was captured and taken to be executed he was given an option to deny Jesus and save himself. He responded, "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" His stand never changed.

A person of integrity is consistent. Consistent in attitude, behavior, values, actions, principles and in what is said. Integrity doesn’t change from situation to situation, place to place or person to person. It will be the same or get better. There are no compromises. Such people are hard to find today. Daniel is our best Example (Dan 1:8-20).  

Integrity is about being fair.

Today favoritism plays a big part in society. Everyone have their favorites. Bosses have their favorites, parents have their favorites. Favoritism creates unfairness. We help those whom we like we put the others to a side. We do for those who are on par with our level our status. Or when it comes to sharing one set will be kept out or given less.

Imagine if John 3:16 read as for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that only those who have cars believe in him will receive eternal life. Where will we be? No matter whom it is we have to be the same to all. That might even be someone whom we don’t like.

In short who are called to be people of integrity, focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,” anything at all that is excellent or praiseworthy.. Phil 4:8, 9.

Christians should look at integrity as a fashion, a lifestyle. The original texts of the bible give the following meaning for the word integrity; "fashion" and signifies, that which comprises the manner of life, actions, etc., of humanity in general. It means to fashion one’s behavior after the image and life of Jesus Christ.

Integrity is a lifestyle characterized by the indwelling of God’s Word. It means having one’s act together and exemplifying the Christ-like life in every circumstance. The apostle John put it this way: 1 John 2:5,6, "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked".

We can reach for the deepest resources in Christ, stand up, and says, "I’m taking charge of my behavior. I’m not going to bend to the temptations and frustrations of the world." In the words of 2 Timothy 1:12 we should be able to say "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day"

So people of integrity will only do what is line with the will of God and what is pleasing to him. In todays society and context it is a demanding task. But if the focus is on God as we can read in Colossians 3:23, 17, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 then whilst continuing to live in difficult situations we can make a difference. And we are assured through the scriptures (Dan 6:4, Prov 10:09) when God is in focus no one can knock us down.

To end, for Christians integrity is a Christ-like lifestyle, which is consistent, having God as the focus, fulfilling what he expects from us remembering at all times that we are accountable.