A MAN OF INTEGRITY

"The just man walketh in his integrity." - Proverbs 20:7

It is rare to find men of integrity these days.  Often the news headlines are filled with stories of political corruption, criminal prosecution and domestic violence.  Even news from the world of entertainment is typically abuzz with stories of marital infidelity and stormy relationships.

In the business community, it isn't uncommon for businessmen to take ethical & even moral compromises.   In fact, there have been many businessmen who've lied, cheated & hurt others just to climb the corporate ladder.

Even worse have been the scandals involving high profile ministers.  Anymore, it isn't uncommon to hear of a minister who is forced to resign because of adultery, alcoholism or financial misappropriation. 

Somehow, we have emphasized outward success to the neglect and destruction of character & integrity.  Author John Maxwell recently mentioned that he wanted to be bigger on the inside than he was on the outside.  In other words, he wanted to be a better man in reality than in image.  Dwight L. Moody once said, "If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself."

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the things I want to see happen with the rest of my life.  Here's a second thing on my list of seven goals:

I WANT GOD & OTHERS TO KNOW ME AS A MAN OF INTEGRITY

I want more than just a reputation for being a man of integrity; I actually want to be a man of integrity every day.  The word integrity is defined as soundness of moral character.  A man of integrity is the same person at all times.  A man of integrity is the same man at home as he is at work.  A man of integrity lives just as holy among his family as he does at church. 

Integrity goes even deeper than that.  God knows me better than anyone else.  It is important that He knows me to be a man of integrity.  If I am a man of integrity, it will be known through my deeds, words and decisions.  Integrity is not something a person advertises ... it is something he is. 

Integrity is not perfection.  Obviously, none of us will ever reach perfection in this life.  A man of integrity admits his mistakes and takes responsibility for his faults.  Instead of blaming others, a man of integrity confesses his sins and makes restitution.  A man of integrity seeks forgiveness when he is at fault and offers forgiveness freely to those who wrong him.  A man of integrity seeks to do right whether it is profitable or not.  A man of integrity is more concerned with pleasing God than impressing people.

God commended Job as being a man of integrity.  The Bible refers to Job as an upright man.  While most people only think of Job as a man who suffered, they fail to appreciate that he maintained his integrity despite unkind friends, an unsupportive wife and uncertain circumstances.

The book of Proverbs states, "The just man walketh in his integrity."  A man of integrity lives right, speaks right and does what's right, regardless of the cost. 

So many complain about hypocrisy in the church.  Sadly, there are hypocrites in churches.  However, my job is to make sure I am not one of them! 

The One who knows me best knows about the things about me that no one else knows.  He knows the times I've prayed alone.  He sees when I give anonymously.  He is aware when I help someone in need.  One day the secret things will be made public.  Ultimately, personal integrity, or the lack thereof, will be obvious.

Instead of complaining about the lack of integrity others have, I need to focus on my own heart.  I want to be a man of integrity at all times whether others are or not.

"The just man walketh in his integrity."  I want that just man to be me!