INTEGRITY – PART 1

What Does The Bible Say About Integrity?

Integrity is a Long-Term Character Trait:

I’m asking you to give me the hill country that Adonai promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the Anakites living there in great, walled cities. But if Adonai is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as Adonai said. -- Joshua 14:12. Caleb was faithful from the start. As one of the original spies sent into the Promised Land -- Numbers 13:30-33, he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew YHVH would help the people conquer the land. Because of his faith, YHVH promised him a personal inheritance of land -- Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:34-36. Here, forty-five years later, the land was given to him. His faith was still unwavering. The integrity with which he had boldly contradicted the cowardly advice of the ten spies years before was as strong as ever. Although his inherited land still had giants, Caleb knew Adonai would help him conquer them. Like Caleb, we must be faithful to YHVH, not only at the start of our walk with him, but through our entire lives. We must never allow ourselves to rest on our past accomplishments or reputations.

Integrity is Being What We Say We Are:

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in You. -- Psalm 25:21. If ever we needed two powerful forces to preserve us along life’s way, we need integrity and honesty. The psalmist asks for these to protect him step-by-step. Honesty makes us learn YHVH’s requirements and strive to fulfil them. Integrity -- being what we say we are -- keeps us from claiming to be honest while living as if we do not know YHVH. Honesty says: This is the Shepherd’s way and integrity says: I will walk consistently in it.

One of the Most Difficult Tests of Integrity is Wealth:

Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? -- Luke 16:10-11. Our integrity often meets its match in money matters. YHVH calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily rationalize away. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here [no matter how much or how little we have], we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of YHVH’s Kingdom. Don’t let your integrity slip in small matters, and it will not fail you in crucial decisions either.

What is Integrity?

Micah 6:8: -- No, O people, our Adonai has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your YHVH. Job 2:3: -- Then Adonai asked satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant, Job? He is the finest man in all the earth-a man of complete integrity. He fears YHVH and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause.’ Integrity is belief, character and conduct in harmony with YHVH.

What is the Importance of Integrity?

Proverbs 12:22: -- Adonai hates those who don’t keep their word, but He delights in those who do. Proverbs 21:3: -- Adonai is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give Him sacrifices. 1 Chronicles 29:17: -- I know my YHVH, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched Your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. Integrity pleases YHVH, for it is godly. Psalm 15:1-5: -- Who may worship in Your sanctuary, Adonai? Who may enter Your Presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise persistent sinners and honour the faithful followers of Adonai and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. Our integrity and our relationship with YHVH are interdependent. We cannot have either without the other. Proverbs 12:3: -- Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots. Proverbs 10:9: -- People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall. Integrity provides stability. Each step away from a life of integrity is a step closer to a slippery slope that leads us into a sinful lifestyle. Psalm 25:21: -- May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in You. Proverbs 11:3: -- Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty. Proverbs 13:6: Godliness helps people all through life, while the evil are destroyed by their wickedness. Isaiah 26:7: -- For those who are righteous, the path is not steep and rough. You are a YHVH of justice, and You smooth out the road ahead of them. Integrity provides protection and guidance. Sin and the lack of integrity expose us to all kinds of harm, especially the disintegration of our own character.