Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 18
February 16, 1967
NUMBER 40, PAGE 6b

Possessing Integrity

Donald R. Givens

Business establishments are looking for men of integrity. Industrial plants search for men with integrity. Educational systems seek for teachers with integrity. Above all, God desires that we possess integrity.

The wise man declared, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them." (Prov. 11:3)

Integrity is defined as:"The state of being morally sound or whole; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; honesty; uprightness; rectitude." (Comprehensive Analysis of the Bible, pp. 258, 259)

The Bible commends individuals who possess integrity. "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." (Prov. 19:1) As with honesty, integrity is also an essential quality. "A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him." (Prov. 20:7)

The opposite of integrity would be sleight, underhandedness, chicanery, duplicity, and unfairness. These qualities have always been condemned by God; therefore of these may we never be guilty.

Job was described by the Lord as a man who "still holdeth fast his integrity." Note the evaluation God made of Job: "And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil; and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause." (Job 2:3) Job did not sin with his lips after being smitten with boils even though his wife exclaimed, "Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die." (Job 2:9,10) What a foolish woman she was Job later reaffirmed his claim to integrity by stating, "Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live." (Job 27:5b, 6) In chapter thirty-one and verse six, again Job states, "Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity."

David considered himself as possessing integrity (Psalm 7:8). David was willing to let his integrity approve him before the Lord: "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee." (Psalm 25:21) In a prayer for protection David desired that the Lord judge him in consideration of his integrity; "Judge me, 0 Jehovah, for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering... But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: Redeem me, and be merciful unto me." (Psalm 26: 1 and 11) In another psalm from the singer of Israel he stated emphatically, "As for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face forever." (Psalm 41:12)

Integrity is certainly a virtue for which we must strive. Jehovah admonished Solomon to walk before Him" as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee." (I Kings 9:4)

Moral purity, freedom from corruption, and genuine integrity are excellent traits that each individual must possess. Acquire them through diligent Bible study, earnest prayer, and obedient service to the Lord.