The word “integrity” means the quality of being honest, upright, and having strong moral principles and values. It has been said “you either have integrity or you don’t.” Integrity has much to do with the quality of a person’s character. A person with integrity is trustworthy and accountable. King David said, “May integrity and uprightness preserve me” (Psalm 25:21). And this should be mankind’s objective.
The Bible says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). However, God did not create man as a perfect human being. The only perfect man who ever lived is the Lord Jesus Christ, because He was God in the flesh. Hence, mortal man is subject to ‘errors and omissions.’
Integrity is not something a person is naturally born with. Integrity is a learned trait or discipline. Parents teach their children to be honest, kind, truthful, respectful, unselfish, accountable, and so on. Therefore, integrity has to be formed and developed over time in an individual. Integrity must be practiced to be effective.
The Scriptures have much to say about integrity. Having integrity makes the world a better place for everyone. It also helps us to get along with each other. Both Christians and non-christians need to have integrity. This is especially true of Christians who must always aim to please God.
Job, in the Bible, was a man of great integrity. His character was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). Even when Satan assaulted Job and his wealth and sons were taken, Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (Job1:21,22). This gives us a window into Job’s character.
On another occasion while Job was covered with sores “from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head,” his wife said to him “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to hear, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:9,10). On both occasions Job did not sin.
It is human to err. Everyone makes mistakes because of the common human element in each of us. However, one must not feel ashamed, especially when the mistake was unintentional. Integrity causes us to own up and admit our mistakes, and to apologize when required. It is better to be honest instead of adopting a so what attitude such as “No big deal; everyone does it” to justify the wrong.
The Scripture says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them” (Proverbs 11:3). Integrity requires the fulfillment of our promises to others. Promises made must always be promises kept. A promise is a commitment. A person’s word is a person’s bond. We have heard it said, “I swear I’m telling the truth.” And at times it is not really the truth.
As the Apostle Paul is writing the final chapter of his letter to the Philippians, he identifies things believers should keep in mind, because they help us think more positively about the Christian way of life and what salvation does for us.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
True means accurate or exact. Honorable means morally right; deserving of honor. Just means precisely or absolutely. Pure means unmixed or not watered down. Lovely means admirable or beautiful. Commendable means creditable or of good report. Excellence means distinct—the very best. Worthy of praise means meritorious.
These identified qualities or virtues of a Christian can be an active part of a person’s integrity. They do not in any way make a person ‘perfect.’ No one is. However, it is a strong message, as the Scripture points out, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9).
A person who lacks integrity will have a questionable reputation.