What Is Integrity?
By Ro Lashua
Integrity is a character trait that is most puzzling. Some have said it is possible to have integrity but act immorally. Is that possible? What is integrity and how can it affect our Christian walk?
Notice this example in Time Magazine, Jeffrey Kluger when he wrote in his article What Makes Us Moral?:
Morality may be a hard concept to grasp, but we acquire it fast. A preschooler will learn that it's not all right to eat in the classroom, because the teacher says it's not. If the rule is lifted and eating is approved, the child will happily comply. But if the same teacher says it's also O.K. to push another student off a chair, the child hesitates. "He'll respond, 'No, the teacher shouldn't say that,'" says psychologist Michael Schulman, co-author of Bringing Up a Moral Child. In both cases, somebody taught the child a rule, but the rule against pushing has a stickiness about it, one that resists coming unstuck even if someone in authority countenances it. That's the difference between a matter of morality and one of mere social convention, and Schulman and others believe kids feel it innately.
That is interesting that there can be a rule that has, as Kluger states,’stickiness’. This actually is a good example of integrity. When one adheres to their values in spite of external conditions, this is a good example of integrity.
Integrity, according from Merriam-Webster Dictionary is defined as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, unimpaired condition, and the quality or state of being complete or undivided”. A synonym of integrity is honesty.
According to Strong’s Concordance, integrity in the Hebrew is nâkôach, which is defined as “straight forward, that is figuratively equitable, correct, or abstractly integrity: -plain, right, and uprightness”.
Value of Integrity
In this day in age, we might not believe that integrity is a modern enough term that adds value to our character, however, let’s look at what integrity can do for us.
Alan K Simpson stated it this way: If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. (Integrity in Business and in Life)
In the article, 7 Principles of Business Integrity, Robert Moment stated, “Without integrity at the helm of a company, a business is short-lived.” He believes that at the top of any successful business is a strong commitment to the distinguishing quality of integrity (Online Small Business Connection).
Moment states, “when business integrity is present throughout the deepest layers of a company and not just at its surface, it becomes the heart and soul of the company’s culture and can mean the difference between a company that succeeds and a company that falters” (Online Small Business Connection)
Integrity in the business world makes or breaks an organization. It is a powerful tool.
It is the same in our lives.
King David in the bible wrote in the Psalms about the value of his integrity and his trusting of God that kept him from backsliding.
In Psalms 26:1 (KJV) <A Psalm of David.> Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
The Hebrew word there for slide is maad, according to the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary. Maad also means to waver, shake or to slip.
David indicated that he had walked in integrity and he had trusted God, therefore he knew he would not slip or backslide.
Integrity is a key ingredient in our Christian walk.
If we read the remaining portion of that text of Psalms 25 it reveals more about David’s heart and his commitment to standing firm in righteousness. This indicates that is what his integrity was all about.
In Psalms 26:2 (KJV) we hear David pray: “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (3) For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (4) I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. (5) I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. (6) I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: (7) That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (8) LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (9) Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: (10) In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. (11) But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. (12) My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD”
David was committed to walking in truth and in Faith. He speaks of his integrity by speaking of what he has not compromised. He had integrity because he was steadfast and he was innocent of being involved with the evildoers or wicked ones.
Notice in Proverbs 11:3 (KJV), “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
In researching to topic of integrity it appears that a common ingredient of integrity is trustworthiness. This is a key ingredient on which many other qualities hang. The interesting thing about this characteristic, trustworthiness is that it is really a subjective quality, however, there is a point at which one could say a person is or is not trustworthy.
In today’s society we are finding more and more graying of the lines from right and wrong. It is not politically correct to say something is wrong, and we assuredly would not call something a sin, such as lying etc., even if it is, and it is, by the way. This seems to be causing some difficulty for those who do not have integrity. If they themselves are not sure of what right and wrong is, then how can they have integrity?
This article is written for a Christian audience. Therefore, we should be able to stand on the premise that there are core values in our lives and we know there is right and wrong. This puts us ahead of many others in society, who are still trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong. Many are governed by situational ethics, which has no absolutes just a mission to determine situation by situation what is best to do ethically, changing standards as needed.
It is probably not a politically correct statement to make in this day in age, that there is right and wrong, but there is.
There are absolutes.
We believe that statement when we are dealing with the law of gravity but not when it comes to situational ethics.
That does not change the reality of absolutes.
As Christians we need to realize that we are not responsible to change the whole world. It is hard enough to change us. Our first and foremost responsibility is to keep our character unspotted from the world. God can and does change others. Many times our example, rather than our preaching does it, especially if we have not lived lives of integrity.
Let’s not let society influence us to compromise and loose our trustworthiness and our integrity.
David said he did not go in with the dissemblers. He did not let their ways become his ways. He did not compromise. He had that “stickiness” that so well describes what integrity is all about.
We must stick to the word of God. Hold fast to what we have learned, and never depart from it.
Keep the Faith!
Ro Lashua is a Motivational Speaker. She is a Competent Toastmaster, Advance Toastmaster Bronze and Competent Leader. She has a B.S. in Management and as a motivational speaker, taps into real life experiences. Check out her Website at: www.RoLashua.com
By Ro Lashua
Integrity is a character trait that is most puzzling. Some have said it is possible to have integrity but act immorally. Is that possible? What is integrity and how can it affect our Christian walk?
Notice this example in Time Magazine, Jeffrey Kluger when he wrote in his article What Makes Us Moral?:
Morality may be a hard concept to grasp, but we acquire it fast. A preschooler will learn that it's not all right to eat in the classroom, because the teacher says it's not. If the rule is lifted and eating is approved, the child will happily comply. But if the same teacher says it's also O.K. to push another student off a chair, the child hesitates. "He'll respond, 'No, the teacher shouldn't say that,'" says psychologist Michael Schulman, co-author of Bringing Up a Moral Child. In both cases, somebody taught the child a rule, but the rule against pushing has a stickiness about it, one that resists coming unstuck even if someone in authority countenances it. That's the difference between a matter of morality and one of mere social convention, and Schulman and others believe kids feel it innately.
That is interesting that there can be a rule that has, as Kluger states,’stickiness’. This actually is a good example of integrity. When one adheres to their values in spite of external conditions, this is a good example of integrity.
Integrity, according from Merriam-Webster Dictionary is defined as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, unimpaired condition, and the quality or state of being complete or undivided”. A synonym of integrity is honesty.
According to Strong’s Concordance, integrity in the Hebrew is nâkôach, which is defined as “straight forward, that is figuratively equitable, correct, or abstractly integrity: -plain, right, and uprightness”.
Value of Integrity
In this day in age, we might not believe that integrity is a modern enough term that adds value to our character, however, let’s look at what integrity can do for us.
Alan K Simpson stated it this way: If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. (Integrity in Business and in Life)
In the article, 7 Principles of Business Integrity, Robert Moment stated, “Without integrity at the helm of a company, a business is short-lived.” He believes that at the top of any successful business is a strong commitment to the distinguishing quality of integrity (Online Small Business Connection).
Moment states, “when business integrity is present throughout the deepest layers of a company and not just at its surface, it becomes the heart and soul of the company’s culture and can mean the difference between a company that succeeds and a company that falters” (Online Small Business Connection)
Integrity in the business world makes or breaks an organization. It is a powerful tool.
It is the same in our lives.
King David in the bible wrote in the Psalms about the value of his integrity and his trusting of God that kept him from backsliding.
In Psalms 26:1 (KJV) <A Psalm of David.> Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
The Hebrew word there for slide is maad, according to the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary. Maad also means to waver, shake or to slip.
David indicated that he had walked in integrity and he had trusted God, therefore he knew he would not slip or backslide.
Integrity is a key ingredient in our Christian walk.
If we read the remaining portion of that text of Psalms 25 it reveals more about David’s heart and his commitment to standing firm in righteousness. This indicates that is what his integrity was all about.
In Psalms 26:2 (KJV) we hear David pray: “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (3) For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (4) I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. (5) I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. (6) I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: (7) That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (8) LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (9) Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: (10) In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. (11) But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. (12) My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD”
David was committed to walking in truth and in Faith. He speaks of his integrity by speaking of what he has not compromised. He had integrity because he was steadfast and he was innocent of being involved with the evildoers or wicked ones.
Notice in Proverbs 11:3 (KJV), “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
In researching to topic of integrity it appears that a common ingredient of integrity is trustworthiness. This is a key ingredient on which many other qualities hang. The interesting thing about this characteristic, trustworthiness is that it is really a subjective quality, however, there is a point at which one could say a person is or is not trustworthy.
In today’s society we are finding more and more graying of the lines from right and wrong. It is not politically correct to say something is wrong, and we assuredly would not call something a sin, such as lying etc., even if it is, and it is, by the way. This seems to be causing some difficulty for those who do not have integrity. If they themselves are not sure of what right and wrong is, then how can they have integrity?
This article is written for a Christian audience. Therefore, we should be able to stand on the premise that there are core values in our lives and we know there is right and wrong. This puts us ahead of many others in society, who are still trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong. Many are governed by situational ethics, which has no absolutes just a mission to determine situation by situation what is best to do ethically, changing standards as needed.
It is probably not a politically correct statement to make in this day in age, that there is right and wrong, but there is.
There are absolutes.
We believe that statement when we are dealing with the law of gravity but not when it comes to situational ethics.
That does not change the reality of absolutes.
As Christians we need to realize that we are not responsible to change the whole world. It is hard enough to change us. Our first and foremost responsibility is to keep our character unspotted from the world. God can and does change others. Many times our example, rather than our preaching does it, especially if we have not lived lives of integrity.
Let’s not let society influence us to compromise and loose our trustworthiness and our integrity.
David said he did not go in with the dissemblers. He did not let their ways become his ways. He did not compromise. He had that “stickiness” that so well describes what integrity is all about.
We must stick to the word of God. Hold fast to what we have learned, and never depart from it.
Keep the Faith!
Ro Lashua is a Motivational Speaker. She is a Competent Toastmaster, Advance Toastmaster Bronze and Competent Leader. She has a B.S. in Management and as a motivational speaker, taps into real life experiences. Check out her Website at: www.RoLashua.com
copyright © 2008 Ro Lashua. All rights reserved.