INTEGRITY

Posted by Mark Lindley on 13 December 2017 | Comments

Integrity is a human characteristic that seems to be on the verge of becoming extinct. Integrity is “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness” (online dictionary).

 A great prophet of the Old Testament, Elijah, once felt very despondent because God’s people had become corrupt and were worshiping false gods. In desperation, Elijah cried to God, “Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (I Kings 19:10). Faithful Christians today can relate to the way Elijah felt about his circumstances. He felt that the he was the only righteous man left.

            Certainly, there are still many godly men and women who possess integrity, but that number is declining. If a cashier miscalculated and gave a customer back too much change, how many would pocket the money, and then, exiting the store, mumble to one’s self, “Today must be my lucky day!” rather than giving the money back to the cashier? Keeping the money might not seem to be a big deal to many, but it is a big deal because it is stealing? Scripture says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). How many married women have enough integrity to intentionally “shun” the handsome co-worker who always tries to flatter (James 4:7; Proverbs 4:23)? How many fathers have enough integrity to maintain control of his emotions so that when his baseball-player son is called “out” though he appeared to be “safe,” the father does not “cuss-out” the umpire (Colossians 3:8)? What a bad example a father sets for his children and for all the players on a team when he blurts out a string of profane language when a call in a baseball game does not go his way! How many people, upon entering a public restroom, finding a wallet or purse with a hundred dollars inside, would steal the hard-earned money of another without ever giving it a second thought (Exodus 20:15)?

            Hundreds of scenarios could be added to this list, but the point is clear for all to see. This world needs more good, honest, sincere, decent, and considerate people in it. It starts with you and me! The key word is “integrity!” Let us be people of integrity, that our children and grandchildren might be people of integrity. If every reader of this article will maintain integrity, it will make a positive difference in the world! Just do it!

                       

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