Integrity is living with singleness of heart
A useful example to illustrate the idea of integrity is to consider a 30-mph speed limit sign. It is always 30 mph when you pass by it. It does not vary with the time of day, the weather or is altered by whether it is a rich or poor person who is driving past.
Can we say today that we handle God’s word in such a way, uninfluenced by our mood, our health or with respect to who it is the has done something contrary to God’s word?
Do we say, yes, it is wrong for others to do this, but I do allow myself to do it!
There is a great temptation for Christians to indulge themselves and their families or friends when we ought to be confronting the situation in love and humility.
Nathan the prophet displayed great wisdom and integrity when he confronted David with his sins of adultery and murder. He did not let David’s position as king or the fact that he might be killed, stop him from confronting David.
Would you be willing to risk your life as a matter of integrity?
or how about a friendship or relationship? or even your popularity?
Too often believers give tacit approval to open sin by saying nothing just in case they might ruffle a few feathers!
God does not want us to have two sets of rules or standards either for ourselves or our loved ones.
There have been times in my life that I have let the Lord down and have not walked blamelessly before Him, but I am convinced that it is His will that we adopt a lifestyle with a singleness of heart before Him that is a lifestyle of integrity.
Definition of Integrity: The state of being complete or undivided [1]. Terms which occur in parallel with integrity (Hebrew tom, tomim) suggest it has shades of meaning including:
righteousness (Ps. 7:8).
uprightness (Ps. 25:21).
without wavering (Ps. 26:1).[2]
blameless (Ps. 101:2).[3]
Examples of persons of integrity
Here are five examples of Old Testament characters who were designated persons of integrity:
Noah (Gen. 6:9)
Abraham (Gen. 17:1)
Jacob (Gen. 25:27)
Job (Job 1:1,8; 2:3)
David (1 Kings 9:4)
English translations frequently render the underlying Hebrew as perfect or blameless. Perhaps the inclusion of Jacob is surprising since he is also known for his deceit.[4] English translators describe Jacob as a plain (KJV), or a peaceful, or a quiet man in other translations.[5]
New Testament
In the New Testament, integrity occurs only at Titus 2:7 in reference to teaching [6]. The idea of singleness of heart or mind is frequent: see also Matthew 5:8; 6:22; James 1:7-8; 4:8.
Walking in integrity is an example.
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
The bible says, ‘train up a child in the way to go and when he is old, he will not depart from it’. One of the most effective ways of training people is by example! The parent who says do as I say but does not do it themselves is likely to exasperate his children.
What a legacy it is for our children when they see us consistently applying God’s word and ways in our day to day lives. They are doubly blessed, to see our example and to be free from the consequences of our otherwise disobedience to God.
When we walk in integrity, we are an example to the whole church.
It is a sad thing to see when a new believer sees an experienced believer compromise on God’s word and then tries to justify it, thus setting a bad example for the new believer.
This scripture will also apply to our ‘spiritual’ children, those recent converts who will follow our example of walking in integrity.
Their Christian walk will be blessed by our example.
Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Amen
Personal Prayer
Footnotes [1] Strong's Hebrew: 8537. תֹּם (tom) -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate. [2] Found in the NRSV, NASB, and NIV [3] Found in NRSV in this verse the Hebrew uses tom twice, otherwise translated integrity. [4] Jacob’s deceitfulness (Gen. 27:5-27; 30:37-43; 33:13-17). [5] In various translations such as the NASB, NRSV, NIV, and REB. [6] Found in translations such as the NRSV, NIV, and REB).
In Part 2 we consider how we can live our lives with integrity.