"And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and
settest me before thy face forever." - Psalm 41:12
I am sure you are familiar with the phrase "Do as I say, not as I do." It is a common idiom that has been popularized over the years, but what you may not realize is that the very idea actually comes from the scriptures. Jesus said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say and do not" (Matt. 23:2, 3).
Saying one thing and doing another is a very real and plaguing character flaw that is rampant in our society. That's why most Americans view our political system as a failed enterprise. The level of trust in their integrity is all but vanished. What makes this even more appalling is the fact that it isn't just within our government it has also bled into every sector of life, even the church has had to deal with its own lies and deceit. Everywhere you turn there are people who make promises they simply do not keep, commit to things they say they are going to do and never carry out, and who make bold professions of faith only to waver in their values and actions.
Where does all of this come from? It comes from failing to develop a healthy value system. Having a sound and healthy value system can only be achieved by us building personal integrity. Integrity is that part of our character that holds to a standard that we will never violate. It's never about making a show. It's all about being true to ourselves. It's about living up to our own expectations.
When you begin to build a life of integrity
where you are whole and true to yourself
and to others, then it clears your conscience
from any kind of obstruction.
Imagine looking into a mirror and seeing a reflection of your inner self. If you are a person of integrity then what you see is the same person everyone else sees. Your inner self is not different than your outer self. I realize that people can be mean and ugly inwardly just as they are outwardly, but that is not the kind of genuineness I am talking about. The Hebrew word for "integrity" means wholeness or completeness. When the Bible talks about integrity it is referring to our entire person, spirit, soul, and body being complete in Christ. In other words, you are the same person in your home as you are in the church. You don't have something contrary going on inside you from how you want people to see you as the person you are.
Christ purged your conscience and made everything good, and right, and true. if you want to be a person of integrity, then you have to do everything in your power to keep it that way. You choose to avoid anything and everything that would hinder your relationship with God. And one of the ways you do that is by maintaining a good conscience.
Paul warned Timothy that there would be folks whose conscience would be seared as with a hot iron (I Tim. 4:2). What that means is like when a person cauterizing a wound. It burns the outer layer of skin to stop the bleeding and prevent any infection from getting in. But in this case, it would be like burning layers of your heart so that you cut yourself off from any kind of conviction. It actually damages your innocence of conscience so that you lose any sense of value for right and wrong.
That was one of the problems that plagued the scribes and Pharisees. They wanted others to do what was right, but they never intended to follow their own advice. They were good at preaching, but woefully lacking in doing. In fact, Jesus said to them: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess" (Matt. 23:25).
I remember many years ago during the early part of our ministry, the Lord said something to me that really got my attention. He said, "Integrity of heart is probably the single most important character trait you can develop as a believer." He went on to say, "If you will build your integrity on my Word, I will see to it that nothing will ever be able to come between our relationship." That sounded pretty important to me!
Proverbs chapter eleven says, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them" (Pro. 11:3). When you begin to build a life of integrity where you are whole and true to yourself and to others, then it clears your conscience from any kind of obstruction. Your own inner counsel becomes a safe guide. Most importantly, it gives you a sound value system where you are able to develop into a whole person. There is nothing like laying your head down on your pillow at night knowing there is nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing that you would fear God exposing before the world around you. *
