Fruitful Living
Integrity in daily living
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue; Nor does evil to his neighbour, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised. But he honours those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved – Psalm 15 (New King James).
INTRODUCTION
Although we often hear this word integrity in personal and professional contexts, its meaning can be tricky to sum up. So here is a practical definition and some helpful examples of integrity in action. The convictions of a person of integrity determine what they will say and do at any given time. They intentionally direct their conduct according to their understanding of what is right and wrong. Authenticity marks the heart of integrity. Their internal character remains consistent regardless of external conditions.
Integrity includes the quality of being honest, but honesty does not always demonstrate integrity. The difference is the inner commitment to being trustworthy and communicating the truth without deception. An integrated person lives without duplicity and hypocrisy.
A person of integrity does not claim to be perfect. Instead, they are quick to acknowledge their own mistakes and faults. Their sincerity comes from a pure motivation to do what is right even when it might be inconvenient. Times of crisis particularly test a person’s integrity. What would it take for you to compromise your resolve to do what you believe is right?
Psalm 15 has several criteria for assessing our character. Significantly, almost all the marks of integrity listed in Psalm 15 relate to workplace issues. The qualities mentioned in the same Psalm extend to personal issues of integrity and honesty, our relationships with others and the way we handle our money. Our worship of God should not only be in terms of our inward, personal needs but also in light of our outward, public responsibilities. After all religion is a matter of character as well as conduct. Our walk must match our talk.
INVENTORY OF INTEGRITY
A person of Integrity is someone who:
1. WALKS UPRIGHTLY: – someone whose character is above reproach.
What about you? What is your basic ethical commitment? Are you out to honour the Lord or to serve yourself?
2. WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS: – someone who does what is right all the time.
What is the end result of your work? Is your work self-serving or do you work to promote good in the nation? Do you make your light shine where you have been put in spite of difficulties and challenges or are you the complaining type, never satisfied with what you are being given?
3. TELLS THE TRUTH: – someone for whom truth-telling is second-nature.
Are you in the habit of telling lies – what you consider to be “little white lies” when it is necessary or convenient? Or do you tell the truth even when doing so is costly.
4. DOES NOT BACKBITE: – someone who does not slander others.
Do you tear down others behind their backs? Are you one of those who think that they can progress by destroying, tearing down others? Verbal murder is as serious as physical murder.
5. DOES NO EVIL TO A NEIGHBOUR: – someone who does not deliberately work against his colleagues
What is your policy on office politics? Do you do unto others what you would like done to you? Or do you believe in “doing unto others before they do unto you”?
6. DOES NOT TAKE UP A REPROACH AGAINST A FRIEND: – someone who stands by those he claims to be friends with.
What is the level of your loyalty? When people collude to bring down a colleague (even when the person has done no wrong) do you jump on the bandwagon? Or do you seek fair play and offer support to the one who is being unjustly treated.
7. HONOURS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD NOT THE UNGODLY: – someone who takes faith in the Lord seriously and shuns ungodly company.
What is the character of your best friends? What is their attitude towards God and the things of the Lord? Do people know your godliness by the type of friends you have?
8. KEEPS HIS WORD EVEN IF IT IS COSTLY: – someone who keeps his promise whatever the cost.
Do your family and friends consider you trustworthy and reliable? Do you keep your word? Are you known as one whose word is his bond? Or do people always wonder whether you will follow through on your promises?
9. DOES NOT PRACTISE USURY: – someone who does not take advantage of those who require their help
Do you make it harder or easier for those in need to gain the resources necessary to support themselves? Or do you take advantage of the poor and to make more profits?
10. DOES NOT TAKE BRIBES: – someone who does not demand money to do the work for which he is paid.
Is it said of you that under no circumstances will you compromise yourself by taking bribes? Can people confidently say of you that you will never take bribes? Or do you accept kickbacks because everybody does it?
SELF ANALYSIS
How do you stand in the light of this integrity inventory? It is said that reputation is what you do when everybody is watching; character is what you do when no one is watching. Do people perceive you as one who has a reputation for integrity when in truth it is all a façade because behind the scenes you are always compromising? Daniel was different. We read in Daniel 1:8: But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel and his three friends made up their minds to stand for godly values even though they lived in the midst of very ungodly they took a stand not to defile themselves.
RESOLVE TO DO THE RIGHT
This is the time in our nation’s history when we all need to reveal our true character. As people of God we have great opportunity to influence those around us through our ethics and morality in our workplaces. We must refuse to go along with what everybody is doing. That is the real challenge of workplace ethics. Occasionally we may struggle to discern the right from the wrong but most of the time, we will have to summon the conviction and the courage to do what we know is right. In the final analysis the truth we know in our hearts – the truth based on Biblical principles – is what we need to do or not do. Like Daniel and his friends we can settle in our hearts to do what is right and carry out our plans with tough-minded resolve.
As we face ethical choices in our workplaces, we can choose to stand for the right. It may be costly, but God will give us the strength to handle whatever consequences come our way. Scripture never encourages us to close our eyes to wrongdoing. Instead we are to “hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good” – Rom. 12:9(New Living Translation). This may involve speaking out publicly about hidden wrongs with which we are familiar. We need not be afraid in such circumstances for it is better to pursue justice even if it means “blowing the whistle” on some people.
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word – 2 Thess. 2: 16-17.
Stay blessed!
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By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; no one seeks God. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. For there is no difference.” — Rom. 3:10, 21–22 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
We bring you this week the concluding part of “A Righteousness Revolution,” published last week. For ease of reference, we recap the last paragraph of last week’s article. Please enjoy and pass it on!
THE GOAL OF THIS TRANSFORMATION
What is the goal of this metamorphosis? Scripture states it in a number of different ways, which overlap and can be seen as different ways of expressing the same basic concept. Scripture often does this because our minds are inadequate to comprehend, and our language inadequate to express, the full scope of God’s revelation to us.
TO BECOME LIKE GOD IN CHARACTER
The whole concept can be summed up in the simple and astonishing statement that we are to become like God. Not like God in power; we can never aspire to that, although we can move in much greater power than many Christians have ever imagined. But like God in character.
We are to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” — Eph. 5:24; the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” — Col. 3:10. “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” — 2 Cor. 3:18. “When He appears we shall be like Him” — 1 John 3:2. We are to “participate in the divine nature” — 2 Pet. 1:4. We can have “the mind of Christ” — 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5. (Emphasis added in each case.)
Adam and Eve were created in the image of God — Gen. 1:26. With Adam’s Fall, much of that image was lost. But with Christ’s sacrifice for us, those who accept Him as Lord and Saviour can be restored into God’s image.
“Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man [the first Adam], so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven [the second Adam, Jesus Christ]” — 1 Cor. 15:49.
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” — John 14:12.
We think of this (if we dare think of it at all) as meaning that we can heal, cast out demons and even raise people from the dead. It does mean that, and people who have faith in Jesus Christ are doing that now. But does it not mean more?
Jesus said that He did only what He saw the Father doing and spoke only the words the Father gave Him. Can we, should we, expect to do the same? He said, “I and the Father are one.” Can we expect this for ourselves? He said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” — John 14:9. Can this be said of us?
Paul told the Corinthians that they were “clearly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” — 2 Cor. 3:3 (NKJV).
Is this not part of what it means to “be” His witness — Acts 1:8 — so that people can look at us and see Christ? We are to be witnesses by who we are, not just what we say. Jesus expects that there will be something different about us, that people will be able to look at us and know that we are His disciples — John 13:35.
He said of His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” — John 17:16.
His demands are to imitate and model Christ’s behaviour and to be clear reflections of the Lord — Matthew 5:16.
ESTABLISHING OUR ATTITUDE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Writing from a prison cell in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote about the attitude a Christian should have: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” — Philippians 1:27.
He is telling us that no matter what unexpected disruptions, frustrations or difficulties come our way, we are to respond with a Christ-like attitude.
Paul later writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ” — Philippians 2:5. He also encourages us in Ephesians 5:1 to be “imitators of Christ as dearly beloved children.”
As children love to imitate what they see and repeat what they hear, we also are charged to imitate and model Christ’s behaviour and to be clear reflections of the Lord.
Jesus maintained a perfect attitude in every situation because He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. We, too, should seek God’s guidance about every aspect of our lives and allow Him to work out His perfect will without interference.
Jesus’ attitude was never to become defensive, discouraged or depressed because His goal was to please the Father rather than to achieve His own agenda.
In the midst of trials, He was patient. In the midst of suffering, He was hopeful. In the midst of blessing, He was humble. Even in the midst of ridicule, abuse and hostility, He “made no threats . . . and did not retaliate. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” — 1 Peter 2:23.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS: LOVING MUHAMMAD MEANS FOLLOWING MUHAMMAD
We say: “We love the Prophet.”
Alhamdulillah.
But the real test of love is not how loudly we shout when someone insults him.
The real test is: Do we behave as he behaved?
Allah says: “Indeed, you are surely of outstanding character.” (Qur’an 68:4)
And Allah says: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.” (Qur’an 33:21)
Therefore, if we claim to defend Muhammad (pbuh) but abandon his patience, mercy, justice and wisdom, we must ask ourselves:
Are we really defending him or are we betraying his example?
AN INSULT DOES NOT MAKE A PRIVATE PERSON A JUDGE AND EXECUTIONER
This point must be understood clearly.
Islam has laws concerning crimes.
Islam has courts.
Islam has legitimate authority.
Islam does not turn every angry individual into judge, jury and executioner.
The Qur’an says: “O believers! Stand firm for justice.” (Qur’an 4:135)
And the Prophet gave severe warnings against unlawful killing.
He said: “Whoever kills a person under covenant will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3166)
Therefore, no Muslim should stand in a mosque and mobilize ordinary people to kill another person because of an insult.
That is not prophetic leadership.
That is not emotional courage.
That is not the Sunnah.
And it is certainly not a license for vigilantism.
If an offence has been committed, report it.
If a crime has been committed, let the competent authorities investigate it.
If punishment is legally warranted, let lawful judicial institutions determine it.
The Ghana Police Service has itself reminded religious leaders and the public that freedom of religion or expression cannot be used to justify inciting violence or encouraging people to harm others.
For Muslims, this is not merely a question of Ghanaian law.
It is also a question of taqwā (fear of Allah).
THE PROPHET TAUGHT US HOW TO SPEAK
Allah says: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner.” (Qur’an 16:125)
This is the Islamic methodology of da’wah:
Wisdom.
Good counsel.
Best argument.
Not abuse.
Not threats.
Not mob action.
Not revenge.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)?
Servants of Allah, remember these SEVEN STEPS.
1. PAUSE
Do not react while you are angry.
Allah praises those: “Those who restrain anger and pardon people.” (Qur’an 3:134)
2. VERIFY
Do not forward every video.
Do not believe every audio.
Do not react to an edited clip without knowing the context.
10 | P a g e
Allah says: “Then verify.” (Qur’an 49:6)
3. DO NOT RETALIATE WITH AN INSULT
Remember Qur’an 6:108.
We do not insult Jesus (Peace be upon him).
We do not insult Christianity.
We do not insult churches.
We do not insult the Bible.
We can disagree theologically while remaining respectful.
The author is the chief Imam of katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Exper
