24. Integrity
by Bryan Gibson
Consider this first: when we support those who use deception, we share the guilt for their lies. This is especially true if the reason we turn a blind eye is that they are lying for our benefit. Please let us know if you disagree with this statement. Then consider Revelation 21:8.
Various passages in the Bible admonish us to walk with integrity:
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Proverbs 19:1 (and 28:6)
Better is the poor that walks in his integrity than he that is … perverse in his lips and is a fool. (… perverse in his ways though he be rich.)
But what is integrity? A dictionary definition reads something like this: “Integrity is moral soundness, especially as it is revealed in dealings that test steadfastness of purpose, responsibility, or trust.” In other words, integrity is sticking to principles of right even when it might be easier to do otherwise; maintaining character, even under severe tests. The root meaning of this word suggests the idea of being whole, undivided, or complete. When under pressure, if we begin to compromise principles of right, our integrity is no longer intact—it is no longer whole. Let’s think through a few situations where our integrity might be tested.
Suppose your boss asks you to lie, a lie he believes will benefit the company for which you work. You realize your job may be on the line. What are you going to do? Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re in charge of the money for some organization, and no careful accounting of the funds is required. In other words, it would be real easy for you to take some money without anyone finding out. Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re planning to sell a car and this car has some “hidden” defects—some which might not be noticed by the average buyer. When he asks you if anything is wrong with it, what are you going to say? If you tell the truth, you may not make as much on the sale. Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re asked by the girl you’re dating to go the dance with her. You really like her a lot, and you don’t want to risk losing her; but you know what the Bible says about lasciviousness, about lusting and causing others to lust. What are you going to do? Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re asked to quit teaching on a particular Bible subject, because some people are offended. You know your responsibility to God, but you’re scared to make enemies. If you’re supported by this church to preach the gospel, you may even lose your job. Will you maintain your integrity?
Maintaining our integrity may not be easy, but the rewards are great. Here are a few:
1) We can walk securely, confidently. When we consistently do the right thing, we don’t have to worry about our conscience “nagging” at us.
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
2) We can keep our good name. When we lose our integrity, we lose the respect of others, and consequently our influence for good.
Proverbs 22:1
A (good) name is rather to be chosen than great riches, (And) loving favor rather than silver and gold.
3) We set a great example for our children.
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
4) We please God, and shouldn’t that mean more than anything else?
2 Corinthians 5:9
Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.
5) We can rejoice.
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
Let us all reap the benefits of our own integrity even if it is not the popular thing to do in the world.
End of Article
The remainder of this page contains articles that have appeared over the most recent three months and that have not yet been put on separate pages on the site.
Scroll down to the article of interest:
1. Profile of a Wise Man –According to the Book of Proverbs
by Bryan Gibson
January 1, 2015
It has been said that God will judge a man more on the direction that he is going than on his absolute righteousness. If you think about what God has always required of His people, it was faithfulness (Hebrews 11) – that is, trying to do our best to serve him … not necessarily being perfectly successful at it. None of the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 were sinless, but they all had their lives centered on serving God. -- dbb
A wise man knows he doesn’t know everything, so he takes advantage of every opportunity to increase in knowledge and wisdom (1:5; 2:1-5; 9:9; 10:8, 14; 18:15; 24:5-6), including what he can gain from the wisdom of others. He understands that “in the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (11:14), and he is not so proud that he does not receive rebuke with gratitude. The wisest among us does not have to make mistakes to learn – he benefits by observing the consequences of mistakes made by others.
A wise man does not trust his soul to what seems right; he wants to know what is right (16:25). Because he is not wise in his “own eyes,” he is bent and determined to follow, not his own ways, but the ways of the Lord (3:5-7).
A wise man, because he so desperately wants to be right with God, actually loves those who rebuke him (9:8). What they say may hurt for a little while, but wisdom teaches him that “blows that hurt cleanse away evil” (20:30).
A wise man “restrains his lips”, or “spares his words;” he does not say everything on his mind; he doesn’t speak just to be heard, or to impress others (17:27; 29:11; 14:33; 10:19). When he does speak, he uses to tongue to teach (15:7), to rebuke (25:12), to encourage or help others (12:18), and to win souls (11:30). He is especially wise with his words when dealing with angry people—“a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1); “scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath” (29:8).
A wise man is alert to temptations—he “foresees evil and hides himself” (22:3); and he does not overestimate his ability to withstand temptation—he “fears and departs from evil” (14:16).
A wise man shows no partiality in his judgment of others (24:23-25), no matter how large or small the inducement may be—“to show partiality i
by Bryan Gibson
Consider this first: when we support those who use deception, we share the guilt for their lies. This is especially true if the reason we turn a blind eye is that they are lying for our benefit. Please let us know if you disagree with this statement. Then consider Revelation 21:8.
Various passages in the Bible admonish us to walk with integrity:
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Proverbs 19:1 (and 28:6)
Better is the poor that walks in his integrity than he that is … perverse in his lips and is a fool. (… perverse in his ways though he be rich.)
But what is integrity? A dictionary definition reads something like this: “Integrity is moral soundness, especially as it is revealed in dealings that test steadfastness of purpose, responsibility, or trust.” In other words, integrity is sticking to principles of right even when it might be easier to do otherwise; maintaining character, even under severe tests. The root meaning of this word suggests the idea of being whole, undivided, or complete. When under pressure, if we begin to compromise principles of right, our integrity is no longer intact—it is no longer whole. Let’s think through a few situations where our integrity might be tested.
Suppose your boss asks you to lie, a lie he believes will benefit the company for which you work. You realize your job may be on the line. What are you going to do? Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re in charge of the money for some organization, and no careful accounting of the funds is required. In other words, it would be real easy for you to take some money without anyone finding out. Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re planning to sell a car and this car has some “hidden” defects—some which might not be noticed by the average buyer. When he asks you if anything is wrong with it, what are you going to say? If you tell the truth, you may not make as much on the sale. Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re asked by the girl you’re dating to go the dance with her. You really like her a lot, and you don’t want to risk losing her; but you know what the Bible says about lasciviousness, about lusting and causing others to lust. What are you going to do? Will you maintain your integrity?
Suppose you’re asked to quit teaching on a particular Bible subject, because some people are offended. You know your responsibility to God, but you’re scared to make enemies. If you’re supported by this church to preach the gospel, you may even lose your job. Will you maintain your integrity?
Maintaining our integrity may not be easy, but the rewards are great. Here are a few:
1) We can walk securely, confidently. When we consistently do the right thing, we don’t have to worry about our conscience “nagging” at us.
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
2) We can keep our good name. When we lose our integrity, we lose the respect of others, and consequently our influence for good.
Proverbs 22:1
A (good) name is rather to be chosen than great riches, (And) loving favor rather than silver and gold.
3) We set a great example for our children.
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
4) We please God, and shouldn’t that mean more than anything else?
2 Corinthians 5:9
Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.
5) We can rejoice.
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
Let us all reap the benefits of our own integrity even if it is not the popular thing to do in the world.
End of Article
The remainder of this page contains articles that have appeared over the most recent three months and that have not yet been put on separate pages on the site.
Scroll down to the article of interest:
- Profile of a Wise Man
- The Billion Dollar Prophet
- How Do You Recognize a Disciple of Jesus?
- The Epistle of James - How Living Faith Behaves
- Sound Doctrine
- An Inside Job
- Irresistible Grace
- Women in the Book of Proverbs
- Fellowship with the Father and the Son
- The Love of God Poured Out in our Hearts
- Listening - The Pathway to Wisdom
- Please Judge Me
- Why I Believe the Bible
- Salvation - The Power and The Conditions
- The Purpose of Redemption
- Interview with the Prodigal Son
- God is our Refuge
- The Relationship between Truth and Emotion
- The Effects of Jealousy
- The Hottest Book in the Old Testament
- Blinded by Human Reasoning
- Isaiah's Descriptions of God
- Garbage Trucks and Mouths
- Integrity
1. Profile of a Wise Man –According to the Book of Proverbs
by Bryan Gibson
January 1, 2015
It has been said that God will judge a man more on the direction that he is going than on his absolute righteousness. If you think about what God has always required of His people, it was faithfulness (Hebrews 11) – that is, trying to do our best to serve him … not necessarily being perfectly successful at it. None of the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 were sinless, but they all had their lives centered on serving God. -- dbb
A wise man knows he doesn’t know everything, so he takes advantage of every opportunity to increase in knowledge and wisdom (1:5; 2:1-5; 9:9; 10:8, 14; 18:15; 24:5-6), including what he can gain from the wisdom of others. He understands that “in the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (11:14), and he is not so proud that he does not receive rebuke with gratitude. The wisest among us does not have to make mistakes to learn – he benefits by observing the consequences of mistakes made by others.
A wise man does not trust his soul to what seems right; he wants to know what is right (16:25). Because he is not wise in his “own eyes,” he is bent and determined to follow, not his own ways, but the ways of the Lord (3:5-7).
A wise man, because he so desperately wants to be right with God, actually loves those who rebuke him (9:8). What they say may hurt for a little while, but wisdom teaches him that “blows that hurt cleanse away evil” (20:30).
A wise man “restrains his lips”, or “spares his words;” he does not say everything on his mind; he doesn’t speak just to be heard, or to impress others (17:27; 29:11; 14:33; 10:19). When he does speak, he uses to tongue to teach (15:7), to rebuke (25:12), to encourage or help others (12:18), and to win souls (11:30). He is especially wise with his words when dealing with angry people—“a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1); “scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath” (29:8).
A wise man is alert to temptations—he “foresees evil and hides himself” (22:3); and he does not overestimate his ability to withstand temptation—he “fears and departs from evil” (14:16).
A wise man shows no partiality in his judgment of others (24:23-25), no matter how large or small the inducement may be—“to show partiality i