Walking with integrity

By Jennifer Moreno

It’s easy to label yourself as a Christian, it’s easy to say you’re a believer, it’s easy to say you’re a follower of Christ, but are we really or is it just a cover up? Many can say they are Christians, but what we do behind closed doors is what truly counts. What we do in private truly demonstrates our character and our integrity.

As soon as you proclaim yourself “Christian” all eyes are on you. How you behave, act, what you say and just about everything else is under constant scrutiny and watch. It’s important to understand that although all eyes are on you and that there may be pressure to “act” a certain way, be yourself and stay true to who you are in Christ. You are a walking testimony of what God has done in your life and what you show is the G-d you represent. It’s not about perfection, but direction.

You may be the only visible representation of what our G-d is like. We should walk in Christ likeness in front of people and when we’re not in front of people. Another aspect that is also just as important is being honest with yourself and your motives. Many times you may find yourself doing a “good deed” for someone, but the motives are completely wrong. It could either be to get glory for yourself, to get praise from people, a means to an end, to receive a reward, to get accepted, to have a woman or a man approve of you. Whatever the motive, check yourself first and ask the Lord to reveal any wrong motives that you may have in your heart or subconscious.

Proverbs 2:6-8 says – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”

The LORD sees us, He knows us inside and out. He is there to help when we need Him and only He can reveal to us our flaws in a gentle way. The Holy Spirit will produce good fruit in us, guide us, give us wisdom and comfort.

Take a look at Job’s story, Satan is roaming the earth back and forth looking for someone to devour and destroy. G-d boasts about how great his servant Job is and how he holds fast to his integrity. Of course Satan wants to challenge G-d by telling him that Job is only faithful to G-d because he’s blessed, but if you take away everything, including his health it may be a different story.

Job 2:3 goes on with… “And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

The story ends with Job questioning G-d, but Job never cursed G-d in the end and said the Lord gives and takes away. Good for him, he kept his integrity intact! Not everyone has that same valiant attitude, some blame G-d for everything.

The point of me mentioning this story is to highlight how G-d noticed Job’s integrity and faithfulness. Despite the fact that Job lost everything, he remained steadfast in his faith towards G-d and ended up getting double the blessing.

Integrity is so vital to your character, whether you’re a believer in Jesus or not. When your integrity is questionable, no one can rely or trust you. When we speak truth to others, we keep our integrity intact. Sometimes it may be hard to be open about things in our past, but ask G-d to give you the courage to be honest, especially with those you are close to. If we continue down a path of lies and dishonesty in every area of our lives, we’re destined to fail.

Proverbs 28:18 confirms that by saying – “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.”

In all, integrity is important to G-d and he judges people according to their righteousness and according to the integrity that is in you. (Psalm 7:8). If you choose to do what is right, you will see how the Lord will bless you and exalt you.

May God bless you all!