Integrity is a word that has been brought to my attention this week, and since then I have undergone some self-examination. What exactly is integrity? Do I have integrity?  Where am I lacking in integrity?  I loved the answer I received from my Google search. The link to the page I visited is at the end of the answer section if you want to research more.

Question: “What does the Bible say about integrity?”

Answer: The dictionary defines integrity as “a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, or incorruptibility; incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted.” In the Bible, the Hebrew word translated “integrity” in the Old Testament means “the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.” Integrity in the New Testament means “honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works.”  (Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-integrity.html#ixzz3QLYn7Xy2)

The Old Testament definition appears to have been influenced by legalism and law, that striving for perfection through works. In the New Testament we have a definition filtered through the saving blood of Jesus. Praise God for that! I would not measure very high on the Old Testament integrity meter, especially that perfection part.

It was on the KLOV radio station that the word “integrity” was ascribed to a situation that caught my attention.  A father who was a new Christian spoke of how he explained to his son that he would no longer be ordering water at restaurants and fill his cup with a soft drink instead.  When his son asked why, he explained that he was a Christian now and he wanted to live with integrity before the Lord. What a living testimony to his son!

Then it was discussed with the Superbowl approaching how people would buy televisions to watch the big game on Sunday only to return them on Monday. These are relatively small examples of how integrity is compromised in the world today.  Lies are told, principles are compromised, and lives are shattered because we hold our lives up to the light of the world’s standards which are daily changing and disintegrating.  When was the last time you held your life up against the filter of God’s idea of integrity. Makes me stop in my tracks a bit!

“Oh, but everybody else is…” Do you really want to be in “the everybody else” group when it comes to integrity?  Granted, God is full of mercy, but as His children we should want to please our Father and follow His example. Integrity or lack thereof is on display each day we walk through this world. Integrity is a by-product of who we are in Christ. Perhaps now would be a good time to do a little “Integrity Checklist” of our own lives. Are you honest and adhering to a pattern of good works? Do you have integrity? I have measured my steps this week against that question. I have found areas in need of work in my life. What about you?  To God Be the Glory!

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.”   (Psalm 119:10