Posts Tagged ‘integrity’

Truth

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Our grandkids recently spent two days with us. When their folks came to collect them, their mom told 3-year-old Anna to put her shirt and socks in the suitcase that was in our bedroom. I happened to be in the bedroom but wasn’t aware that Anna was under orders, so I didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing when she dashed in and out.

Several minutes later, Anna’s mom walked into the bedroom. “Did Anna put her shirt and socks in the suitcase?” she asked me. “I don’t know,” I said. “I didn’t see her do it.”

Anna returned at that exact moment and overheard my statement. She stopped short and looked at me. “Grandma,” she commanded in her pipsqueak voice. “You need to tell the truth.”

I may chuckle at my granddaughter’s observation, but I agree wholeheartedly. I do need to tell the truth. Don’t we all?

Sometimes we struggle with speaking the truth, especially if we think coloring it might benefit us or cover a mistake. Sometimes our human emotions overrule our sense and make it difficult to discern the truth let alone speak it. Occasionally a painful truth is so difficult to bear that we’d rather deny it exists. Or we’re scared to speak the truth lest others take offense.

Thankfully God’s words are always truthful. They never change based on feelings or circumstances, and we never have to question their integrity or wonder if He’ll keep His promises. Psalm 119:160 says, “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”

Why is truth the essence of God’s words? Because God’s character is truth itself. There isn’t so much as a pinch of deceit in Him, therefore He cannot lie. Just a wee bit different from the lot of us, I’d say.

The very essence of God’s words is truth. Let’s pray that others can say the same for our words.

Integrity

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Someone once defined integrity as “who you are when no one’s watching.” It means being honest through-and-through even when there’s no one to impress and nothing to gain. Wouldn’t it be great if the world’s population was comprised of men and women of integrity?

Job was such a man. In Job 1 and 2, we read three statements about his character:

  • “He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil” (Job 1:1).
  • “Then the LORD asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil’” (v. 8).
  • “Then the LORD asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause’” (2:3).

As I read these verses, a couple of thoughts came to mind regarding integrity. First, it flows from the fear of God, or having a healthy respect for who He is. For instance, when we truly understand His holiness and the fact that someday we’ll give account to Him, we’ll be motivated to keep our attitudes and actions pure. Second, God values complete integrity. He longs for us to be pure from the inside out – at all times – not just when others are watching us. Third, integrity is consistent even when our circumstances change. Job’s life went from good to ugly in minutes, but he remained blameless on the inside.

Being a person of complete integrity is no easy thing for faulty humans like me. What challenges do we face? Here are a few ideas for starters:

  • Maintaining a pure thought life.
  • Keeping our tongues gossip-free.
  • Thinking loving thoughts about the difficult-to-love.
  • Driving the speed limit when we’re running late.
  • Keeping the promises we make.
  • Returning extra change when a cashier makes a math mistake.
  • Watching appropriate television, videos, or internet resources when we’re home alone.  

Thankfully, God has given His children the ability to overcome temptation through the Holy Spirit’s power. We don’t have to figure out this issue of integrity on our own strength; He’s there to enable us to be successful.

What challenges to integrity have you faced?