Session 10

What’s integrity worth?

From Ecclesiastes: A 20-Day Devotional

As followers of Jesus, we’re committed to living by God’s standards, such as integrity—saying what we mean and doing what we say. Proverbs 21:3 says, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”  

Integrity means being “honest” and “whole and undivided.” First, we have to be honest with ourselves by asking:

• Do I say I will do things that don’t get done?
• Do I make excuses for not following through?
• Do I substitute words when actions are needed?

Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, “Do not be quick with your mouth...” The Bible doesn’t teach us not to use words, but to use them wisely and back them up with consistent actions. Jesus says, in Matthew 25:21, the “master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” The master says “well done,” not, “well said.”

If we struggle with integrity, there is hope. Romans 8:1 says. “.. there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Start with the first tiny step of an honest self-assessment. Then choose to follow Jesus to the next step in integrity, and keep following Him day by day.

We're all on an integrity journey called life. 

Living with integrity, positively acting to make others’ lives better, being thought of as a person of honest character—who wouldn’t feel good about that?

We are all on an integrity journey called life. There is one path of honesty, wholeness, and action and another path of lip service and lying. Our integrity is priceless. The choice we make matters.

Reflect:

• Take a moment to ask God if there is any area of your life in which you lack integrity. Then confess it to Him, and ask Him to help you change.
• Is there something that gets in the way of your integrity in that area?
• What next step can you take to live with integrity?