3 Characteristics of a Person of Integrity
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There are few traits more valuable in a person than integrity.
Becoming a person of integrity requires a strength of character that is built with time and a resolute spirit.
Knowing that when a person gives their word, that they will keep it at any cost.
Knowing that when a person renders a service, that it will be above board and the highest quality they are able to render.
Knowing that you can open your heart and they will keep your confidence.
A person of integrity isn’t born.
Although there may be those who are born with a sense of justice and order, integrity is a character trait that must be built.
This week we began a new Good Morning Girls study to finish up the book of Psalms.
Right from the start, we see 3 admirable qualities that every child of God ought to build in their lives.
1. A person of integrity behaves wisely and sincerely
“I will behave wisely in a perfect way… I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:2
Wisdom and sincerity are qualities built in a person who, like David, loved God’s Word above everything else.
While some translations use the word “perfect”, it doesn’t mean perfection in the sense that we mean perfection.
The word here means complete or sincere – in the sense that our imperfections rooted in our human-ness are made complete by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and as we fear God, we deeply honor the blood of Jesus that makes us complete in Him.
This fear and honor keeps us accountable to Word of God that commands us to walk with an upright heart.
And the challenge in this verse is that we are to live like this 24/7.
David said that he would “walk in his house” this way: meaning, who he is around people is who he is when no one is looking.
Because the fact of the matter is, though no one can see what we’re doing, God sees!
And God tells!
A person of integrity is a person who is wise and sincere all of the time, even behind closed doors.
2. A person of integrity protects their eyes
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” Psalm 101:3
It is worth noting here that “wicked” doesn’t just mean evil.
Though, for sure, this is something that in our modern culture needs to be repeated often.
There used to be an almost universal agreement among Christians that there were certain movies and T.V. shows that they didn’t watch.
There was certain music that wasn’t listened to.
And for many, it wasn’t based in legalism, but out of deep respect for the Word of God and an understanding that tolerance of the portrayal of sin influences a person’s spirit and will eventually instruct their world view and behavior.
Our love of entertainment in this modern culture often leads us to lowering our standards; and this is evident in not only the tolerance of immorality and sin in the church, but the embrace of those things the Lord hates.
However, the word “wicked” here also means worthless or unprofitable.
And for our culture today, this kind of hits a nerve because we like our Netflix binges and weekends when we can zone out and do nothing.
But as I read this verse I was reminded of Paul’s words:
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15
Even our down time should be profitable for our spirit.
When we allow evil or worthless entertainment in our lives, we let our spirits become dull.
Could it be that this is why we don’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit like we should?
Because the we’ve allowed evil and worthless entertainment to dull our senses.
3. A person of integrity values honesty
“My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” Psalm 101:6
Are there any truly honest people in the world today?
Those who will tell the truth, even when it costs them everything.
Those who refuse to tell “white lies” or fudge a bit — even when they know they will likely never be caught?
Yes, I believe there are those truly honest people in the world today, whose handshake is their word and their word is iron-clad.
Because I know that there are men and women who fear God and keep His commands.
This is why Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,”No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37
In other words, live in such a way that your “Yes” and “No” are to be trusted; so that you don’t need to swear on this or that to be taken seriously.
David closed the Psalm with these sobering words:
“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will cut off; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure….He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.“ Psalm 101:5, 7
How serious are we about letting these sins linger around us?
- Gossip or slander
- Pride
- Arrogance
- Deceit
- Lying
Maybe we don’t engage in these sins ourselves, but we refuse to cut off a friend when they gossip.
A person of integrity will not let someone gossip or slander in their presence.
Do we call out those people who we know are lying?
Or are we too afraid to lose a friendship over it; so we look the other way?
A person of integrity values honesty and fears the Lord more than he fears losing a friendship…or a job….or his reputation.
A person of integrity may not be popular with many people, but they are highly valued by those who see their worth.
And the One who sees their worth most, is Almighty God.
And that is the opinion that matters most!
“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3-5
This post is part of the Blogging Through the Bible series with Good Morning Girls
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What an amazing message…Integrity is a good practice as we strive to be more like Jesus in our everyday life. Thank you for such an inspiring message!