The BasicsSample

INTEGRITY

One of the basic characteristics of a believer in Jesus Christ is a desire to be like Christ. As followers of Jesus, we should seek to imitate Him. There is a word that was not only commonly used in previous generations but was also an important concept in society. The word is "integrity," and though the word is still well known today, the concept doesn’t seem to have the same honor as it once did.

In years past, integrity was highly valued and greatly esteemed. It was important to someone to be a person of integrity, and others were judged based on their perceived integrity. Common phrases such as “His word is his bond” or “they had a handshake agreement,” speak to the significance of integrity in daily life. Integrity mattered. It was highly cultivated and highly sought after. An individual would deeply desire to be a person of integrity and to be known as such by others. A person with integrity was greatly esteemed, and one without integrity was considered dishonorable and untrustworthy. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was a person of utmost integrity.

Since then, we have continued to move away from valuing integrity. Part of being a person of integrity is being consistent in your thoughts, words, and actions. It is also being truthful and keeping promises. It is when your word is all the guarantee that is needed. Currently, we are suffering from a huge void in these areas. In our society, we lack integrity and have ceased to value integrity.

No one actually believes what politicians say because we have seen the lack of moral virtue in their lives. We have watched as their pre-election words change from poll to poll, and their after-election actions have little or nothing to do with their campaign promises. This lack of integrity cuts across political parties to the extent most politicians are willing to say or do anything to get elected. Our leaders need to demonstrate integrity.

So here we are, facing many issues, but none more critical than a lack of integrity. The most significant problem with a lack of integrity is the fact that integrity matters to God. We are told in Proverbs 10:9, “One who walks in integrity walks securely, But one who perverts his ways will be found out.” Job 8:20 tells us, “Behold, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will He help evildoers.” May we be people of such integrity that the world will notice and be drawn toward the Lord we serve. “Lord, may the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, and the works of our hands, be acceptable in Your Sight.”