Many folks do not keep their word. They cheat in business. They say one thing but do another. They act one way at church and another way at home. This hurts marriages, families, churches, and our nation.
God calls us to have integrity. He calls us to live with integrity daily and to know what that means. What does that mean in plain words? It means our actions match our beliefs. We are honest and whole in character. We do what is right even when no one is watching. Even when it hurts us or costs us dearly.
The Bible teaches this truth clearly. Proverbs 10:9. “He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.”
Those who walk straight have peace and safety. Those who twist the truth get found out.
Proverbs 11:3 adds this. “The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.”
Good character lights our path. Bad ways bring our own ruin.
Fathers, listen to this promise in Proverbs 20:7. “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.”
When a man lives right before God, his sons and daughters receive blessing.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul told young Titus how to lead. Titus 2:7-8 says, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
We must live as examples in every part of life. Our teaching must be true and pure. Even people who stand against us will have nothing bad to say.
Think about Joseph in the book of Genesis. His brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. Yet even as a slave in Egypt, Joseph served faithfully. Genesis 39:2-3 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.”
Joseph’s master, Potiphar, trusted him so completely that he put him in charge of his entire household. But temptation came. Potiphar’s wife tried day after day to get Joseph to sin with her. Joseph refused every time. Finally, when she grabbed his garment and would not let go, Joseph ran from her, leaving his coat behind.
His reason shows true integrity. Genesis 39:9 tells us: “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Joseph feared God more than he feared losing his position or facing false accusations. He was thrown into prison because of her lie. Yet even in prison, Joseph kept his integrity. The Lord was with him there also, and soon the keeper of the prison put him in charge of all the other prisoners.
Because Joseph chose to walk in integrity no matter the cost, God raised him up from the prison to become the second highest ruler in all of Egypt. He was able to save his family and many others during a great famine.
King David prayed this way in Psalm 26:1. “Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.”
David trusted God and walked straight. He asked God to stand up for him.
As Christians, we must hold to the truth of the Bible and obey it fully. Be honest with your wife or husband. Teach your children the right way by how you live every day. Do honest work at your job. Speak the truth in love when you gather with the church.
Study your Bible every day. Pray for strength to stand firm. Teach these things to your family.
God blesses those who live for Him with clean hands and a pure heart. Will you commit today to walk in integrity? Let us encourage one another to live the way God’s Word commands.
If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, today is the day. The Bible shows us the steps to obey the gospel. First, you must hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Second, you must believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Third, repent of your sins. Acts 17:30 says, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Fourth, confess your faith in the Lord Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Fifth, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38 says, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
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