Integrity is not rocket science.
It is simply a commitment to be true to the core.
Integrity means no shading of the truth, no exaggeration, no manipulation of the facts. Just unvarnished truth. Integrity is the state of being complete or undivided. It has the idea of simplicity, soundness, and uprightness. Integrity is unwavering; being blameless before others. People of integrity possess a singleness of heart and mind.
Consider these Scriptures that shed light on the subject:
Surely you desire truth in the inner part. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. A double-minded man [is] unstable in all he does…Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mindI will be careful to lead a blameless life (Psa. 51:6; 7:8b; Matt. 5:8; Jms. 1:6b-8; Psa. 26:1,2; 101:2a)
Recently I watched an old western movie cast in the mid-Nineteenth Century. One of the striking features was how little the characters talked. And when they did they were simple and straight forward. To the point. In those days on the plains, life was tough and survival was paramount. Thus, there was little time or luxury for verbal dexterity or verbosity. Just shoot strait and get the job done. You wondered if they understood and lived by Proverbs 10:19: The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. (The Message Translation)
A short time ago, a friend sent me an expensive gift. I never received it, or so I thought. So he sent another one. Two days later I discovered that I had received his first package, but had confused it with a garden product I had ordered on the internet, and had thrown it into the greenhouse. What to do? Ah, just dont tell him anything. Let it go, said an acquaintance of mine. Well, I couldnt do that, so I called my friend and told him my error, apologized and offered to reimburse him for the mistake. Perhaps that is an application of Jesus statement, Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matt. 5:37)
So my friend, lets ask ourselves, are we people of uncompromising integrity both in our motives and in our actions? Are we true to the core? Not given to shading the truth or manipulating the facts? Do we hold to the truth, even when it is to our disadvantage to do so? Or do we have a price? In a world of word games, hyperbole, and down right deceit, are we determined to hold to the truth whatever the cost, however alone we may feel? I hope so, because integrity is a requirement for getting into heaven: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned All liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Matt. 5:8; 12:37; Rev. 21:8)
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