IIntegrity was a word used in one of my classes. It is a self study Bible class. I am not real sure what the author thought integrity meant; from what I gathered they could have used the word incorruptible. Our understanding of the meanings of words is a big issue when we study anything. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility (Titus 2:6-7). Teach and encourage the young to be sober-minded, and in what you teach have integrity, respect, and be not corrupted. To me that explains integrity. Say what you believe (teach) and do what you say, while showing respect.

If I was working with a company I knew was cheating their customers, should I stay? Would Integrity say, leave? If the company gave me a raise and I stayed, would I be corrupt? If I feared how I would make a living and stayed, would I be corrupt? Integrity applies to all aspects of our life. Do we believe what we say, and do we live what we say? Is it all talk or have you been taught how to walk? What if I stayed with the company to show my coworkers business could be done with integrity? Is it possible by showing integrity, respect, and incorruptibility others would learn by example and change?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:13-14). That is the answer. If I were to stay or go would depend on God’s plan for me being there. Am I being tested to see if I will lose my flavor and be fit for nothing (corrupted), or to be a light that cannot be hidden? Maybe both? To me integrity is being who God created you to be. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify (1 Corinthians 10:23).

When we first read about the apostle named Paul, he is called Saul. He is a man of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin; the tribe of King Saul. King Saul, when first anointed king was a humble man. And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me” (1 Samuel 9:21)? It is written how King Saul sinned and grieved the Spirit of God; and how the kingdom was lost out of the hands of his children and was given to David. Saul, who we know as Paul, was a man of integrity. Paul believed in his heart that faith in Jesus Christ was against the God Almighty. The truth of what was in his heart was a false teaching by the leaders of the Temple in Jerusalem and the synagogues of the Jews. But Paul believed and his actions followed his belief. Jesus met Paul on his way, and called him to follow His way. Paul did not gain integrity; his belief changed his teaching, and his life followed his new doctrine of belief. Or did it?

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality (James 2:1); for there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11). To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress (Proverbs 28:21). What does that have to do with integrity? When we see a thief, do we think the man to be lacking integrity? The scriptures tell us a man will transgress to receive bread. Who is it that lacks integrity? Is it the man who transgressed, or the one who showed partiality and kept bread from the hungry? Let’s look at this as the bread of the Word of God. Bread is the meat of the wheat. If we hold the faith of the Lord with partiality and give only milk when a man hungers for bread, where will the man get the meat of the Word? When we read James, do we see the rich man coming for the Word of God and the poor man for a handout? Do we speak of spiritual things to the rich, and not so to the poor? Do we do so in our own fellowships? Is the rich man saved by his offerings and the poor man by his works? That is another part of integrity; respect. If we show the rich respect and look down on the poor we have been partial (unjust with our respect).

Out circumstances do not determine our integrity. Joseph was a man of integrity, and was thrown into prison. The apostle known as John stood by the teachings of Jesus, and taught of love more than any other, and was sent to an island reserved for criminals. Paul served the Church from prison. Integrity cannot be judge by circumstances. The integrity of another cannot be judged by what you believe, or by what you think they believe. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do (Romans 7:15). He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25). So then, what child of Adam can be a person of integrity? If I am not able to walk what I will to walk, how can I be a person of integrity?

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify (1 Corinthians 10:23). The blood of Jesus Christ, and His walk of integrity, is counted for me. If my integrity was based on my life, I failed years ago. What can I do to regain what was lost? My good deeds cannot erase my past. My past is erased by forgiveness, and forgiveness comes by way of love, and love comes by way of God. My walk is out of love for my Father. My integrity is purely in the hands of God.

© 2009, Tim D. Coulter Sr.