My first impression of this often larger-than-life word is a little tune from my childhood. "Integrity means always being honest, making sure you tell the truth, So people can depend on whatever you say. Integrity means being fair in every situation, doing what is right in every part of your day, We must do, what is right, in each part, of our day, We must do, what is right, in each part, of our day." Trust me, it's catchy, and it's been a great foundation for my understanding of the word. Maturity has certainly played a role in broadening my definition; however, and as the eyes of my heart have focused in on this virtue, the call for our lives to be described in this way is daunting and truthfully almost scary. But I don't want to shy away from something that's going to show off the nature of God in my life, and I hope you don't either. Especially because this very virtue is absolutely vital to being in the world but not of it. When we look at Scripture, nearly all instances of this word are located in the Old Testament. It pops up in the NT too, but it's pretty rare. Often times it accompanies the concept of walking with God. We'll use the word with the following definition: Integrity is the rampart against anything in the world or in the flesh that would threaten to corrupt a sound mind, body or reputation that is centered on Christ. I'm sure Biblical heavy hitters like Job, Joseph, or Daniel come to mind and rightly so, for they exemplified integrity in various ways. Job's blameless reputation reached right up to heaven, Joseph and his notorious sprint from Pharaoh's wife displayed his purity, and Daniel refused to be defiled as a way of setting himself apart. These bold moves toward honoring the name of the Lord meant a graduation to more difficult trials and temptations. Job especially sheds light on the agony it was to hold fast to his conviction especially when those around him, namely his wife, would have him renounce his honest ways and curse His Maker. We need to stop thinking of Integrity as this sweet little virtue and start thinking about it as the rampart it is: the protecting wall around our hearts that shields it from acting outside of what would please God and make Him look good. It is nearly impossible to talk about integrity without highlighting "conviction," and certainly integrity itself is being threatened by subjectivity and tolerance in our culture today. All I can do is point to the Word, asking you how easy it is to practice Philippians 4:8 (thinking on all those good things) when you have let sex, violence, and the like to penetrate the rampart of your heart. It's not just the outward fightings but that stubborn inward flesh that leads us to compromise in countless ways. But, don't worry. all hope is not lost. Jesus Himself is now our Rampart. He was and is, and always will be integrity in human form, the only One who flawlessly thwarts any attempts to defile what is pure. If he has taken up residence in your heart, then His holy and sanctifying process is happening RIGHT NOW. There is a pretty significant list of positive benefits that become a life of integrity and great gain in holding to the Rampart. Just check out this list: "Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your HOPE?" Job 4:6 "May integrity and uprightness PRESERVE me, for I wait for you. Psalm 25:21 "VINDICATE me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity." Psalm 26:1 "But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; REDEEM me, and be GRACIOUS to me." Psalm 26:11 "But you have UPHELD me because of my integrity, and SET ME IN YOUR PRESENCE FOREVER." Psalm 41:12 "he [the Lord] is a SHIELD to those who walk in integrity." Proverbs 2:7 "For the upright will inherit the land, and those with integrity will REMAIN in it." Proverbs 2:21 "Whoever walks in integrity walks SECURELY." Proverbs 10:9 "The integrity of the upright GUIDES them." Proverbs 11:3 "Whoever walks in integrity will be DELIVERED" Proverbs 28:18 Integrity is not a small thing, and don't let anyone tell you differently. It's a BIG deal to God, possible only by His Spirit who dwells within us, and oh, how such a life makes Jesus famous! May we be characterized by this mega-virtue!
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