Daily Wisdom for MenSample

Real Guts

Legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach John Wooden once said, “A leader’s most powerful ally is his or her example. There is hypocrisy to the phrase ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ I refused to make demands on my boys that I wasn’t willing to live out in my own life.”

Too often as men, we desire to live a life we haven’t committed to in our hearts. What I mean is that we desire our external life—the life that everyone sees, our successes and accomplishments—to be greater than our internal life—the life no one sees, our thoughts and desires.

The Hebrew word for “integrity” is tom, which means “completeness.” No cracks or gaps. It means there should be no difference between our public and private lives. God wants every aspect of our lives to be rock-solid and filled with integrity. Chuck Swindoll said, “You want to shock the world? Start here…demonstrating the guts to do what’s right when no one is looking. It takes real guts to stand strong with integrity in a culture weakened by hypocrisy. Start today."

Integrity starts with a deep-rooted, abiding walk with Christ. It means being honest and truthful, even when it is hard. It’s about living a life of transparency and authenticity. Remember: if we have integrity, then nothing else matters. If we don’t have integrity, then nothing else matters. Real men have real guts and live with integrity.

Father, I long for You to be pleased with my integrity. Help me live completely for You. Amen.