Integrity, A Life Choice
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (Job 2:3, NLT)
“In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: Integrity, Intelligence, and Energy, and if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” Warren Buffet
The word integrity comes from the word integer and all of us learnt when we were younger what an integer is. It is a whole number. According to C. S. Lewis, integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching you. Over the years, I have observed several people of high integrity and the one who influenced me the most was my dad. He was a high-standing officer in the Indian Customs and in a time and age when everyone is trying to be popular and earn money in every way possible, he would totally refuse any bribe or any gift to influence him in any way. I vividly remember how one person came home and handed an envelope and a whole set of expensive books to my mother. She unknowingly accepted it. When dad returned home, he was furious. He called that person home, explained to him that he would not accept any gifts or bribes and returned the money and the gifts. This has happened time and time again and even many persons in high political standing could not influence dad to take decisions. He would firmly stand by the truth and what is right come what may. He was trusted with high-confidentiality assignments by the Indian Government trusting his high standard of integrity when he worked with the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi. He always said “I will walk according to the Word of God and no one can defer me from following His Word.”
The story of Job in the Bible is the story of a man of high integrity. I jotted down a few characteristics that should be seen in us if we want to showcase integrity in our lives.
The Characteristics of a Man of Integrity
Righteousness – The Bible records that Job was righteous and upright. We have inherited the righteousness of the Lord Jesus when we believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior. The only way that we can continue to show forth His righteousness in our lives is by abiding in the vine as in John 15. A beautiful, growing relationship with the Lord Jesus will ensure that you keep His commands, walk in His precepts, and please Him in all that you do.
Bears discouragement – Just imagine the position Job was in. The Lord had permitted satan to test him to the maximum, only sparing his life. His wife, the most intimate person in his life, she also condemned him and said “Do you still maintain your integrity? Curse God and die” Job 2:9 But Job chose not to be discouraged. He said “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). When his friends repeatedly accused him, he remained strong and believed in His redeemer.
Worships in all situations – Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Only when you go through loss and suffering, you will know how tough it is to say “ Lord thank you” The whole world is crashing around you, your own little world, all that you held dear, including your health and you cry out “ Blessed be the name of the Lord” Mere mortals cannot understand this expression of faith and trust and worship. It comes from a deep trust and faith in the Lord…a really deep faith!!
Integrity is being sound or complete. If you complete a job perfectly even when no one is watching you, if you say you will do and you do it even if no one is checking on you, if you fulfill your promises each time and every time with no exceptions whatsoever, you are a person of high integrity. Integrity is being what you say and not being a hypocrite or having a double character. If you have integrity, people will trust you wholeheartedly, you will have clean financial records, and you will be morally pure. Integrity can be compared to a rock. When pressures mount, it will not crumble, when left alone, it will not crack. It will stand firm, strong, undeterred against the forces of evil. It means standing alone, having the courage to stand for the right and the truth, living life according to God’s standards, not your own, and one who is humble and willing to accept their mistakes, correct themselves, and move ahead. May the Lord enable us to be persons of high integrity, shining forth for him.
