“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (Prov 11:3). Integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change” in the online Cambridge Dictionary. The righteous are characterized by integrity: “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” (Prov 20:7).
The one who lives in integrity does the right and moral thing without compromise even in difficult circumstances. Numerous Bible heroes demonstrate such character, but Job stands out early in that book. He is described as “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). When Satan was allowed to bring calamity upon him through the loss of his possessions, his servants, and then even his children, “in all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job 1:22). Job remained honest and true to God, doing what is right. When Satan was allowed to strike him with painful boils all over his body, he was challenged even by his wi0fe to give up his integrity: “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse God and die!’” (Job 2:9). But Job rebuked her, and “in all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). He continued to walk in the integrity of his heart even then. Difficult circumstances such as trials and losses really test our integrity, but the Christian perseveres in integrity.
The one with integrity does the right thing when personal loss may be the cost. When Daniel’s subordinates were filled with envy and led the king to sign a decree that anyone who would petition any god or man other than the king for 30 days would be cast into the den of lions, Daniel, knowing that the decree was signed, did as he always had done from early days – he knelt down and prayed three times that day (Dan 6:1-10). Daniel’s part was acting in integrity. The cost was being cast into the lion’s den, but God saved him. Similarly, standing up for truth and righteousness when others promote error or defame you may come at a cost, but the Christian who walks in integrity will not be moved.
Finally, walking in integrity involves doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. Away from home and family, Joseph was repeatedly propositioned and enticed by Potiphar’s wife to commit fornication, but because of his integrity, he would not heed her even when none of the men of the house were inside (Genesis 37:6-14). The words he had spoken to her at the beginning of this series of temptations echo the integrity of his heart: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). He remained firm and true to that confession of his integrity. The Christian remains true to doing what is right in his thinking and actions even when alone or when nobody is looking, whether at school, at work, at play, or at home.
Here are three cases, then, when our integrity is tested: 1) when we face trying circumstances, 2) when doing the right thing will cost us personally, and 3) when we are alone or when nobody is watching. Integrity requires strong faith, deep conviction, and determined commitment. Is your life characterized by integrity? -Larry Jones