Integrity is a powerful word that brings to mind people and situations. It is a positive word that most would admit they appreciate and are drawn to those who embody it. Some confuse honesty with it; but there is a distinct difference. Honesty is truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness; while Integrity is adherence to moral and ethical principles. You can have honesty without integrity, but you cannot have integrity without honesty. One of my favorite quotes is "Integrity gives you real freedom because you have nothing to fear since you have nothing to hide." It is making those choices to do the right thing, to flee from sin, even when no one else is watching.
In the Bible the Hebrew word is Tom (Toe-may) and means moral innocence, perfectly upright. The Greek word used is Dikaios (Dik-ah-yos) meaning equitable, innocent, holy. This character trait is mentioned in 282 verses and certainly one to strive for. In God's Word there are two men mentioned specifically with integrity, David and Job. Both men loved and feared God and sought to do right in His sight. Neither were without the struggle of sin and the temptations that come along. Both of them found wisdom, direction, and peace by having a close relationship with God. In Proverbs 11:3 it says, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." This shows us both a truth and a warning. Then in Proverbs 20:7 we see a promise given by walking in integrity, "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." This verse in particular is meaningful to me in the stage of life I am in. While I have many responsibilities, one of my greatest is to lead by example, and train my children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord. What a blessing and yet sobering thought to know that my life choices have profound affect on them.
The very concept of integrity has been lost in today's society. We are plagued with advertisements and motto's telling us to look out for #1, success is what matters and to making some "questionable" decisions along the way, are not even frowned upon. We are taught to "love yourself" and "follow your heart" which are two concepts completely opposing Truth. We are inherently selfish and always putting our wants and needs first, and God warns us in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Clearly we have been mislead and deceived if we have bought into these lies. Instead of following our hearts, we should take head to David in the Psalms after he failed by his sin with Bathsheba. Psalms 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
So what do we do? How can we, in our current day have integrity and walk in the light? First we must realize that we are fighting a war. There is a battle raging between our flesh and our spirit. These two natures fight for first place in our lives. But perhaps you have heard it said that once your saved, the temptation and struggles leave. On the contrary, although salvation cleanses us from sin and justifies us before The Lord, it does not mean that we do not still have to battle the flesh and the adversary while here on earth. He cannot steal our salvation, but he can steal our blessings and rewards and entrap us in self condemnation and guilt rendering us totally ineffective. We can only win the battle by fighting the flesh with the spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" So we can combat this by taking our thoughts captive. The Spirit also helps us to battle the flesh when we desire to walk by spirit. Galatians 5:16-18, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
We never forget to feed our flesh, by giving ourselves food, shelter and comfort daily, yet we often think we can face a day without having fed our spirit nor having put on the armor of God by going to The Spirit. Without guidance and filling your head and heart with The Truth, we cannot withstand the fiery darts of our enemy.
Two studies come to mind, which will give you direction and understanding as you seek to walk in integrity. One is a little book called, “The Two Natures in the Child of God” this wonderful study we want to make available to you free this month in PDF form. It can also be purchased from our online book store at this link. The second study is Ephesians 6 which teaches about putting on the whole armor of God. I leave you with this powerful and encouraging verse from Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." God has truly blessed us with the Wisdom of His Word to guide us. May He strengthen and deepen your walk with Him as you seek to live a life of integrity.
In His Service,
Kacy
