series: Values-Based Living

Topic: Integrity

Proverbs 10:9 says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will

be found out.” The man of integrity has security in his life, whereas the man of crooked paths

is going to be uncovered.

Integrity defined further

Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn't succumb

to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority. Integrity is to personal character

what health is to the body. Integrity comes from the word integer meaning number.

A person of integrity is whole, their lives are put together. People with integrity have nothing

to hide and nothing to fear. As the scripture we just read, "The one who lives with integrity

lives securely". Their lives are open books. They say to a watching world, "Go ahead and look.

My behavior will match my beliefs. My walk will match my talk. My character will match my

confession. Who I am on Sunday will be the same on Monday and every other day of the

week."

How Jesus Modeled integrity

Without a doubt, Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His life evidenced his purity and

excellent character, that his enemies could only declare, "When they came, they said to Him,

"Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don't show partiality but

teach truthfully the way of God" (Mark 12:14).

The New International Version translates it, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity."

Even at the conclusion of his life here on earth as he stood before Pilate in the mockery of a

trial, the ruler said, ""I find no grounds for charging this man" (Luke 23:4). There was no basis

for guilt, no evidence of fault, found in Jesus. In other words, his behavior matched his belief,

his walk matched his talk, his character matched his confession.

It is for these reasons that Peter instructed all believers: "For you were called to this, because

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps"

1Peter 2:21. Peter gives us the example, the model of integrity that we should follow. If the

world is watching us, then we should be watching Christ. We should follow his example. We

should do as he has done.

The same challenge is presented today. Will we walk in Jesus' steps? Will we follow his model?

Will we make a pledge that before any major decision to ask, "What would Jesus do?" Will we

live a life of integrity?