Wisdom Walks in Integrity

Want to make sure you’re safe and secure? Then integrity is something you want to walk in.

People who have integrity in their hearts and in their actions make decisions that keep them safe, and the path they choose to walk through life leads them to many blessings. Integrity is related to honesty and means a firm adherence to a code or standard of values. It also means “simplicity,” “soundness,” and “completeness,” according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.* People with integrity are sincere and truthful, and they always keep their word.

A person of integrity keeps their commitments even if it is inconvenient to do so. They do what they say they’re going to do. If for some valid reason you cannot do what you said you would do, then contact the person to whom you committed. Explain that your commitment was made in haste and that you should not have obligated yourself to it or let them know why you cannot keep your commitment at this time. Unforeseen situations do arise and prevent us from doing what we thought and said we would do. But because keeping our word is extremely important, we should never have a casual attitude about being unable to follow through on a commitment.

In one of Paul’s apostolic prayers for the church, he prays that they will recognize “what is excellent and of real value” and remain “untainted and pure” by adhering to the excellent and best things (Philippians 1:10 AMPC). Being an excellent person is part of walking in integrity.

Another characteristic of people with integrity is that they refuse to compromise. Instead, they do the best job they can, even when no one is looking—because they realize that God is always watching and that their true reward comes from Him. To compromise is to do just a little less than we should do, or to go a little bit below what we know to be right, and although it’s easy to do, we must avoid it. Every time we compromise, it becomes easier to compromise again and again—and in more significant ways. If we’re not careful, we will soon live a lifestyle filled with compromises. But when we’re faithful in the little things, we can be trusted to be in charge of many things (Matthew 25:23).

When Dave and I began our ministry more than 40 years ago, God spoke to my heart about keeping the strife out of our lives, being excellent in all we do, and walking in integrity. He let me know that if we followed these wise principles, He would bless us and our ministry. We have made every effort to follow this time-honored wisdom, and our ministry and our lives have truly been blessed beyond my expectations.

Ask yourself: Where in my life can I begin to grow in integrity?

_{* Retrieved from biblestudytools.com.}