Regarding Integrity…

So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” (Genesis 27:18,19, ESV)

Several times Isaac asked his son if he were really Esau, and repeatedly Jacob pretended to be his brother Esau, tricking his father, and stealing his brother Esau’s blessing. Isaac was nearly blind and trusted his son was telling him the truth.

The definition of integrity is the state of being whole and undivided. If you are a person of integrity, you are honest and have strong moral principles, a moral uprightness. Notice the definition does not include or say you are perfect, only a person who is honest and have strong moral principles. Even people of integrity will make mistakes and fall short of the standards they have set for themselves, sometimes do things that disappoint themselves and others, but overall, they are led by their strong standards of morality and have a strong moral code.

Jacob examples someone who didn’t start off being a very integral person, (unfortunately Jacob learned how to be deceitful from his own mother, Rebekah). But later we see how God taught Jacob a lesson and allowed him to encounter someone who had even less integrity than he had (Genesis 28), misleading Jacob, and proving those without integrity cannot be trusted and living without integrity is no way to live or please God in our living.

The world will provide plenty of examples of what it means to live a life devoid of integrity, but God gives us many more examples—both in the Bible and in everyday life—that prove how living with integrity is not only pleasing to him, but how he blesses those who are willing to establish and live by a moral code of conduct based upon the principles we read in the Scriptures. When we study God’s word we learn that being a person of integrity means being as honest as humanly possible, being trustworthy, not intentionally doing things that mislead others or misrepresent ourselves. Jesus is our highest example of what a person of integrity is, we are not perfect like Jesus, but we can be as close to him as we can when we live our life in an integral way.    

If we want to enjoy the blessings of God in our relationships, in our business, and in our ministries then we should make it our highest goal to be people of and operate within the standards of integrity God has laid out for us through his Word. Let’s Pray

Thank you for this life-lesson from your Word, Lord. Help us to be people who live by and are willing to be people of integrity regardless of what those in the world do or show us. Amen

Reflective Questions for Self and Soul-Tending:

How does today’s focus and subject speak to your heart? Do you consider yourself to be a person of integrity? Is God glorified by the way you live and conduct your life?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?