One: A Marriage Devotional by Jimmy EvansSample

A Matter of Integrity

He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. (Proverbs 10:9)

The word integrity means “completeness” or “wholeness.” It simply means that nothing is lacking and that everything is in proper condition. To live a life of integrity means that every area of your life is in a generally healthy and morally sound condition.

Of course, we all know that none of us are perfect. To have integrity doesn’t mean that perfection must be your standard. It simply means that you haven’t surrendered an area or areas of your life to unrepentant sin, illegal activity, deception, or any other type of serious compromise.

What you must understand about integrity in order to value it properly is the fact that one area of compromise can seriously damage or destroy you. The example I use to describe this is how a home is robbed. A burglar doesn’t need every door and window in a house to be opened for him to rob it. No, one entry point will allow him all of the access he needs to vandalize the entire home.

Likewise, the devil doesn’t need you to surrender your life entirely to sin before he can go to work. Just one area of compromise lets him in. Let me use marriage as an example. I have seen many very nice and well-intentioned couples whose marriages were destroyed over a simple principle such as financial disobedience to biblical standards. Even though all other areas of their marriages were generally sound, their downfall came from just one “open door.”

Of course, countless lives and marriages have been destroyed through sexual sin alone, or alcohol abuse or anger—the list could go on and on. The point I want to make is that we need to be people of integrity.

Integrity creates true security and safety for your marriage and family. It means you haven’t left a door open for the devil to rob you of your hopes and dreams. He is truly evil and is always looking for a way in to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Therefore, you must not excuse sin in your life or justify an area of vice because you are otherwise a good person.

Take this issue seriously and choose to be a person of integrity.

Talk It Out | Have you left a door open in your life or marriage? You can close it by confessing it to the Lord and taking responsibility for your actions. Take a few minutes to pray together, asking the Lord to forgive you and give you the power to overcome any sin you may be struggling with. Commit to trust Him daily in these areas.

Walk It Out | Plan a date night this week and invite another couple you’ve been wanting to get to know. Building healthy relationships with couples who share your values and faith is a great way to strengthen your own marriage.