What is this “integrity”?

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 What is this “integrity”? 

The word is used nearly 30 times in the Bible (mostly in the Psalms and Proverbs), and it is always given a good connotation. It means being consistent and uncompromising, adherence to a strict moral and ethical code, being honest and truthful and accurate in one’s actions. A person with integrity acts in accord with what they say they believe; they are not hypocrites. In Scripture, this character quality is equated with wisdom and contrasted with crookedness: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
Jesus told his followers that they should be people of integrity, which means “undivided” and “a person of your word.”
Today, we've become so used to fake news and to people saying whatever is going to make them look good that we might have forgotten what honest integrity looks like. It can be hard to trust people in a world like ours.
Sometimes people try to convince others they can be trusted by saying things like, “I swear on my mother’s grave!” or “I swear on a stack of Bibles!”.
Jesus tells us to keep our promises simple. He instructs us to say, “Yes, I will,” or “No, I won’t.” Giving a basic yes or no answer may sound easy enough, but it can be really hard to do in a world that often makes excuses and teaches people to make empty promises.
We grow in integrity as we think carefully about each promise we make and work hard to keep our word, even when it is difficult - especially when it is difficult!
The concept of integrity is certainly under attack in our modern era. It used to be a laudable character quality, but now it is viewed almost as a handicap to success.  How many times do we see politicians promise one thing and then do another? Or they condemn the action of an opponent while the same scandal can be found in their own house. How about climate activists who fly around in private jets that spew more toxins than the gas-powered cars they condemn?
As followers of the God of truth, we also must walk in truth, upholding and demonstrating integrity. Scripture promises reward for those who keep their integrity.
It is easy to point out the lack of integrity in unbelievers, but we really need to turn the microscope on our own hearts. If we are to be salt and light to this world, we need to preserve our integrity and show the unbelieving world how invaluable it is. So, can you boast about your integrity as David did in Psalm 26? David was not sinless, but he claims he never wavered from trusting the Lord. Do your actions say, “I trust the Lord without wavering”? Have you compromised your stance on God’s moral code? These little compromises chip away at our integrity.
Let us examine ourselves and pray that we will not be conformed to this world, but that we will be transformed with renewed minds to be like Christ, steadfast in all things.
Always remember that God and Jesus will forgive us if we ask for forgiveness with a humble and repentant heart.