Integrity

Integrity is an interesting word. We all know what it means, but I bet you would have some difficulty explaining it. I think examining the word itself might shed some light. You can see, I think, a linguistic connection between "integrity" and "integer," right? "Integrity" has its roots in Latin (integritas) filtered through 15th century French (integrité) meaning "wholeness, completeness." "Integer" has its roots in Latin (integer -- go figure) meaning "whole, complete." I think I see a trend! We use "integer" in math to refer to a whole number. No fractions. No decimal points. No gradations. "One" is an integer and "one and a half" is not. So, in fact, the two words have essentially the same meaning. Integer means "whole" and integrity means "the state or quality of being undivided." So, to "integrate" is to take disparate things and make them one.

We think of integrity as a virtue, and generally it is, but it needn't be. If someone presents himself as a thief, for instance, and makes a constant habit of stealing, he has integrity. He has a firm adherence to a set of principles. But we generally think of someone with a firm adherence to a set of good principles. Integrity implies a sense of trustworthiness. If he says he'll do it, he'll do it. If she promises to be there, she'll be there. And, of course, much beyond that. Integrity would include the idea that sometimes, in adherence to said principles, the person with integrity will not get what he or she wants. The person with integrity may lose out in order to continue this "wholeness." Integrity means that sometimes we make sacrifices for the sake of principles.

Integrity ought to mark the Christian's life. The principles to which we adhere ought to be the biblical ones. And we ought to be willing to make personal sacrifices to retain that "one" -- to behave on the outside in the manner we believe to be right on the inside. Proverbs says, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them" (Prov 11:3). It says, "The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him" (Prov 20:7). It says, "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways" (Prov 28:6). After Satan assaulted Job, God commended Job 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" (Job 2:3). Integrity would mean that we believe that God is omnipotent and we trust Him for that. Integrity would mean that we believe God is working all things for good to those who love God (Rom 8:28) and our responses to "all things" reflect that belief. Integrity would require that we aim for godliness and right living at all costs since we are Christ-followers and "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). If we say we'll do it, we should do it. If we say we must not, we must not. Even to our own detriment.

There are reasons that people don't come to Christ. Spiritually dead, not interested in repentance, rejecting the claims, and on and on. One of the reasons at the top of the list is Christian hypocrisy. We say one thing and live another. We cry "love one another" and fail to love. We reject sin in others and sin boldly. It is a big impediment to unbelievers. It is also a problem among fellow believers. If we are not trustworthy with each other, we cannot have unity. That is, failing to have integrity, we are not one. Failing to be Christians, we misrepresent Christ and are ... dis-integrated. What James calls "double-minded" (James 1:7-8). Perhaps that's why we often don't receive what we hope for from the Lord.