INTEGRITY!

INTEGRITY!

Prov 11:3

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Prov 19:1

1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Prov 20:7

7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

          In each of these three verses the word “integrity” is the Hebrew word tom (pronounced tome) and means “innocence” and “uprightness.” In fact we think we have a pretty good handle on what integrity is and is not. We see it and recognize it every day. Merriam-Webster says that it is “adherence to a code of values.” It is what makes a lady squeeze tomatoes in a grocery store and then choose only one. The one she chooses has integrity.

          Integrity, throughout the Old Testament, meant honesty, sincerity and singleness of purpose. People like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, David and Job were called people of integrity. Daniel and the three Hebrew “children” faced the lion’s den and the fiery furnace rather than compromise their integrity. Integrity means you don’t lie.

          Sometimes it takes a while to discover the true nature of a person. First impressions sometimes fade as more and more information is learned. Friendships become strained as integrity is compromised. The real person is revealed by pressure and circumstance. We’ve all heard it said: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” A crooked stick will cast a crooked shadow!

          You can embellish your reputation but the only way to enhance your integrity is to actually become who you ought to be. Don’t fabricate false information to make yourself appear innocent. Don’t focus on some minor error in a friend so that your own major errors will be masked. Duplicity is the disguising of true intentions by deceptive words or actions. Duplicity and integrity cannot coexist.

Although Jesus did not use the word integrity, he called for purity of heart (Matt 5:8), singleness of purpose (Matt 6:22), and purity of motive (Matt 6:1-6).

Dear Lord, let me not lie to my friends to spare their feelings or to enhance my reputation. Let me be pure in heart, speaking the truth in love. Let me not compromise my integrity. AMEN