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