Integrity

 

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

A husband confessed to his wife and some other witnesses (of which I was one) that he had been involved in pornography and had been abusive to her and their children.

After this confession, he made it clear that he knew these things he had done at home were wrong. He was sorry. But then he added that he wanted others to know that he is the man who comes to church, not the man who lives at home.

A man who walks in integrity is one who lives the same way whether he is at home or church, whether his wife is checking his computer or not, whether he thinks that he will be caught or not. The man who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9 above).

I am concerned that there may be many professing “Christians” who believe that if they show up at church on Sunday, wear nice clothing, lead the worship team or teach Sunday School, that it really doesn’t matter what they do the rest of the week. This is in direct opposition to the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Integrity is defined by David in Psalm 15 where he points to the man whose character and behaviors are consistent. It says, A Psalm of David. O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? (2) He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; (3) who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; (4) in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; (5) who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

I cannot know if this man whose confession I heard and whose integrity I had to question will “dwell on God’s holy hill.” I can, however, look at my own life and see if I am living in integrity. Do I practice what I teach? Am I the same person on Sunday and every other day of the week?

I guess the greatest test would be to ask my family if I am a woman of integrity. They live close to me and have seen me live day in and day out, morning, noon, and night.

How about your family? What would they say if they were asked if you are a woman of integrity?