CHAPTER 1
The Definition of Integrity
The RANDOM HOUSE WEBSTER'S SCHOOL & OFFICE DICTIONARY copyright 1998 ("the world's" authority on definitions), defines integrity as uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles, the state of being whole or entire, or a sound or unimpaired condition. The "James Strong's" Exhaustive Concordance (1990), (my trusty Christian index to the Bible), defines integrity as moral uprightness.
These are two of the most reputable sources for defining the word integrity. Although there are many meanings of this term listed in the various publications of the Webster's Dictionary, the definitions of the two different sources mentioned, are relatively the same. Therefore, no one should misinterpret the concept of the term integrity, once identified.
Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me ...
Psalm 25:20-21
The term integrity is not a noun that's easily identified. It's a concept that with understanding, can be seen in a person who fears and honors"The LORD GOD," maintains personal awareness by looking and smelling clean, watching his/her attitude and behavior, respecting others (especially senior citizens and those having authority over them) and honoring business agreements, as well as personal commitments.
Integrity exists in married couples who communicate with one another regularly and lovingly, especially regarding issues that affect the family. This includes couples that report their whereabouts and those who support, defend and submit to one another, as well as those who show consideration regarding "the family car."
Integrity is also evident in cases where one spouse remains devoted even though the other has become ill, incapacitated, aged or requires constant care.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD.
Ephesians 5:22
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it.
Ephesians 5:25
Also, integrity is seen in those who assist with household expenses and share in the responsibilities of raising the children, as well as those who resist and ignore lustful thoughts or gestures projected by others.
The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the LORD.
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says the LORD.
My Spirit, who is on you and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children or from the mouths of your children's children from this time on and forever," says the LORD."
Isaiah 59:20-21
Integrity can be noted in mothers who addressed their children's behavioral problems, as well as those who check back with care providers to make sure that their screaming child has calmed down, after their departure. This great characteristic can also be acknowledged in certain fathers who pay child support and spend time with their children without legal intervention.
Again, integrity is moral (good in conduct or character; specifically sexually virtuous) uprightness. Therefore; integrity is noted in single men who PAY THEIR OWN RENT and SLEEP under THEIR OWN roofs! This includes men who refrain from promiscuous lifestyles.
Conversely, integrity can be noted in single women with or without children, who dress and adorn themselves modestly, open their mouths with wisdom and those who respect themselves by refusing to accommodate men in exchange for "anything!"
The LORD is my shepherd and I shall not want ...
Psalm 23:1
Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
Integrity is a quality of adults who keep in contact with, visit and attend to the needs of their maturing parents. This does not include those who appear or call suddenly when they need money, transportation, "free" childcare or to "Get out of jail, free." Conversely, integrity is noted in parents who are honest and not those who lie or practice civil disobedience to control their "adult" children.
Integrity is visible in family members and good friends who do not stop by or call "only" when they need something, but those who respect and support each other always and in all ways. Integrity is a quality of citizens who vote and pay taxes without injunction. Also, integrity is a reflection of those who refuse to gamble or support worldly events such as horse racing and Halloween (which will be discussed later). Most people know that investing in the lottery is riskier than trusting your teenager with your new sports car.
Nonetheless; many people still take that chance. Then lose large sums of money that could have been better spent. Yet, a lot of these same people refuse to pay tithes, because they're afraid of missing a payment on a bill and simply don't believe in the promises of God. And to bet money on a horse (one of God's most beautiful creations) that's being whipped to increase speed for the purpose of (winning) monetary gain is outrageous and inhumane ...
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 28:20
A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
God's way of righteous living, includes kindness even to animals. Animals are useful to humans for companionship, work and food and they should never be mistreated or used in an unkind manner (TFLSB). For further study, reference Genesis 1:28; 9:3, 24:32 and Deuteronomy 25:4.
CHAPTER 2
Integrity in its Simplicity
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
Now contrary to Satan, the ways of the world and the flesh, integrity is not about lying, cheating, or stealing. It's quite the opposite. Integrity is about possessing character built upon truth, honesty and righteousness in "The LORD GOD."
Let not mercy and truth, forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Romans 2:13
But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
Job 36:12
Now you have some idea of what integrity is, as stated by this and that official. However, in layman's terms, integrity is first, foremost and always acknowledging, loving and fearing The LORD GOD! It's the right thing to do. He is our Creator and He is worthy of our recognition and honor. He's also worthy of our love and respect!
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6
Giving thanks unto the Father, which have made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him all things were created, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him.
And He is before all things and by Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:12-17
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Imagine having children so wonderful and so beautiful that whenever they go out, people praise you! Imagine having children so good you want to give them everything they desire and when they're obedient you keep thinking of ways to make them happy.
Now imagine loving them so much you give them the very thing they need (Salvation is Free), to live forever in your presence.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise... Ephesians 1:13
And promise them (in writing) everything they'll ever want (worldly desires).
Trust in the LORD and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 37:3-4
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
But then they grow up (naturally and spiritually), get a breakthrough and become complacent. The devotion stops, the praying cease and coming to church seem a thing of the past. Moreover; they stop communicating and forget about you altogether. Nevertheless; you never stop thinking about them, and the relationship you once had.
You never stop longing to hold them close to you again. You keep hoping that your child is in the middle of a sneeze or blink even... But then they continue going further and further in the wrong direction
The LORD GOD is Sovereign, ALL POWERFUL (omnipotent)! He's also ALL KNOWING (omniscient) and He's "EVERYWHERE AT THE SAME TME" (omnipresent). Hence, He knows where you are (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually).
In addition, He knows everything you've ever done. But what's important now, He knows where you're headed!
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:30-32
He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, JESUS, to die on the cross so you (and everyone else in the world who believes in Him) can be delivered. JESUS died on the cross and shed His precious blood, so that all who believe could be redeemed and set free from all our sins. This gives us an opportunity to return to the Father through Him. Believe it or not, He values YOUR very existence, because He created you for a specific purpose (known only unto Him).
Though many of you have not discovered your purpose in life yet, as long as you're alive, God can still use you and be glorified through you. But the choice is yours. If you're reading this right now, you still have time to give your heart, mind and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can choose to change your mind and start obeying and serving Him today. You can repent right now and right where you are.
All you have to do is decide that you want to live for Jesus. Simply ask God to forgive you of your sins. Now believe in your heart, that He sent His only begotten Son (Jesus of Nazareth) to die on the cross for your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart, and be your Savior forever.
Afterwards, join a Bible believing and Bible teaching church and get baptized formally. These preliminary steps will guide you to your rightful place in the Kingdom of God for His glory and your soul salvation. Remember; tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Also, according to Proverbs 4:7, God commands us to "Get understanding."
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15
O gentile soul, know that God had "you" on His mind from the foundation of the earth. He knew how "you" would live your life before you knew your name. Still, He sacrificed His only Son and desires to forgive and bless "you."
If My people, who are called by My name would humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways: Then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Furthermore; "you must desire truth and righteousness." "You must desire to be holy through His written Word." Then He will forgive you and you'll get a new heart and a fresh start. However; this can only come true if you believe and make His Word a part of your daily bread for the rest of your life and the manifestation of your salvation. Afterwards, no one will have authority to judge you, because of whose you are. And because you will know;
No weapon formed against you shall prosper and any tongue that rise up against you in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the (Holy) Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; Old things have passed away; behold-all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Also, spend quality time with God in prayer, embrace His Word and study the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely O LORD.
Psalm 139:3-4
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the Jar side of the sea, even there, Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:7-13
Integrity is being responsible in caring for yourself (especially personal hygiene), and as you perform in your various roles. Integrity is taking care of your children in the same manner and returning phone calls, personal and business, in a timely manner. You don't always know why a person wants to speak with you.
You may be one of few people they feel comfortable talking to. Also, stop telling people that you've been busy every time they've tried to get in contact with you. You should never be too busy to return calls from family or personal friends.
Remember, the devil is busy too, going to and fro seeking whom he may destroy (Job 2:2).
Also, while Mary (a woman in the Bible, not Jesus' Mother) was sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42), her sister Martha was rebuked for being too busy to receive instructions from the Lord.
Now according to Romans 13:8, we are to owe no man nothing, but to love him. Therefore; neither should you continue ignoring business calls, when someone is trying to get you to pay a bill for credit, services or merchandise that you've already received and agreed to pay for. However; not wanting to be bothered with an individual is different, especially when you lack common interest.
If this is the case, be honest with those who consider you "their friend" and stop lying about why you've been avoiding them. This will come in handy if you run into them later. At which point the two of you will probably share a few words out of courtesy and keep going.
Integrity is respecting those who live in your community, especially if you live in an apartment complex. Too often, many of you residing in close living quarters lack consideration by holding up your car pools. This compels your drivers, who too, lack integrity and consideration for others by blowing their car horns for long periods of time, early in the morning and sometimes late at night.
