INTEGRITY
by Kathy Pegram

 

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you; Psalm 25:21 (NIV)

According to Webster's Dictionary integrity means a firm adherence to a code of moral or artistic values: incorruptibility. Its synonym is Honesty. David asked for integrity and uprightness to protect him along the way.

Take double the amount of silver with you for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. Genesis 43:12 (NIV)

Jacob was a man of integrity he paid for what he bought, he was afraid that the money was placed in the grain sacks by mistake. Therefore he made sure his sons took back enough money to cover the previous purchase of grain along with what they were going back to buy. Jacob didn't try to pull a fast one. He didn't try to get away with anything. To him his reputation was worth more than anything.

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. Proverbs 19:1 (NIV)

Very few people believe that having a pure life is more valuable than money. There are people who will lie, cheat, steal and even kill to achieve the position they want in life. What are your priorities? Does having a big name and position mean more to you than having favor with God? It is sad to say there are a lot of people out there who would rather have fame and fortune than anything else. They strive for recognition of men and not the direction that God has for their life.

A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the Lord condemns a crafty man. Proverbs 12:3 (NIV)

If you hear the word established you think of someone who has been around a while, someone who is successful. But what about those people who achieved their success through underhanded means? How about the man who cheats on his tax form, mistreats his wife and kids, and yet his business and finances grow? I guess we need to keep in mind that these people only have a temporary success. They have succeeded at the expense of their character.

People who hurt others usually just become more uncaring and more callous of peoples feelings as time goes by. People who lie usually weave a web of lies to try and get out of their first lie. In other words an evil life usually leads a person to do more and more evil. Real success only comes through integrity. If God doesn't find you successful it doesn't matter what position you hold you are not a success.

Integrity... it seems to be something that there is a lack of in the day we are living. I think it's time we got our priorities in order. Stop pointing fingers and spreading gossip about others. Search your own life. If we stood before God this second would He find us men and women full of integrity. Or would He find people who were so concerned about how others view them that would sell out their integrity and their relationship with God to have the praise of men? Think about it, we are to live a life pleasing to God not a life to receive the accolades of men.

 

Love and Prayers,
Kathy