Integrity

            Webster (1828) describes integrity as, among other things, “moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty.”  We discussed this quality among leaders today, particularly Joseph in Genesis.  So our task today is to describe the way integrity is played out in the mind, mouth, heart, hands, and feet.

MIND:  A man of integrity thinks on righteousness.  Proverbs 14:22 says, “Do not those who think evil go astray?  But mercy and truth will be to those who think of good.”  Jesus’ teaching, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, make it clear that sinful thoughts and desires are the headwaters of sinful actions, and are just as disgusting before God, though they have fewer consequences on earth and are thus innocent in men’s eyes.

MOUTH:  James says, “If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.”  (3:2b)  He goes on to say that it is impossible for man to tame the tongue.  If the tongue, then, is tame at all, it is the work of God.  James says in verse 10, “Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing.  My brothers, it is not fitting for these things to be so.”  Integrity means that all a man’s speech is to be wholesome and pure, free from guile and deceit. 

HEART:  The heart in the Scripture refers to the seat of the thoughts, desires, and will, not the seat of the emotions.  A man’s emotions, therefore, are not the subject of a heart of integrity, but his desires and choices are.  Psalm 15 says it this way, “O Jehovah, who shall abide in Your tabernacle?  Who shall reside in Your holy mountain?  He who speaks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.  He does not go about slandering with his tongue, and does not do any evil thing to his friend, and does not lift up a reproach against his neighbor.  In his eyes, the ones being refused have been despised, but he honors those who fear Jehovah: he that has sworn to his hurt, and will not exchange it.  He has not given his silver at interest, and not has taken a bribe against the innocent one, he who does these things shall not be shaken forever.”  In short, this is a Biblical definition of integrity.  And this begins in the heart.

HANDS:  “And the words which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart…and you shall bind them for a sign on your hands,”  Deuteronomy 6:6,8a.  In other words, think about them, and do them.  Obedience is the natural extension of faith.  Faith without works is not faith at all, and works without faith is useless.  So a man of integrity will, indeed, “Practice what he preaches.” 

FEET:  “For Jehovah God is a sun and shield; Jehovah will give grace and glory; He will not withhold good favor from those who walk in integrity.  O Jehovah of Hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm 84:11-12.  The word “walk” here has to do with the lifestyle a person lives.  The way God guides us in the way we should walk, the way to go, yes, we go.  But not always literally.  Our going often involves our day to day activity, but it must always involve God.  Joseph was aware that if he sinned, he would be sinning against God.  This makes sin appear the very deadly matter that it is, not some trite non-issue.  The consequences are only one thing, and only temporary, but sinning before God is grievous.  So, “The simple believe every word, but the wise considers his step.”  Proverbs 14:15.

Commitment

            The primary definition of “commitment” in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary has to do with being put in prison.  So the definition in question has to do with being fully involved, being stuck with the thing you have promised to do.  Commitment is in many ways like going to prison.  You can’t get out of it.  The difference is, in real life we think that we have the option of getting out, which poses many problems.  The task at hand, however, is for me to examine someone whom I have seen to demonstrate excellent commitment.

            The first example of a person I know who shows great commitment is my Uncle Daryl in his commitment to my Aunt Janell.  Even when I was little, I could see this demonstrated between them every time we saw them, and in every way.  For one thing, I have always observed as steadfast stream of love flowing out of him to his wife.  In all sorts of visible ways, he show his love for Janell for her to feel and all to see.  Not that he’s showing off.  The sincerity of it assures me that it goes on just as much when they are at home by themselves as when the whole family is there for Thanksgiving.  And not only is this demonstrated by his words, but also by his actions, in his serving of her, providing for her, and for his family in general.  His commitment to his marriage and family, and his love for his wife, is summed up in a story which occurred perhaps eight years ago or more, and I shall not likely forget.

            My grandmother’s car was busted—the starter didn’t work.  She once counted thirty-two times that she tried to start it before it finally did.  So Daryl fixed it for her.  “So how much do I owe you,” said Grandma, “for parts and labor, y’know?”  And Daryl replied something to the effect, “Oh, you already paid me.  You let me marry your daughter.”  Of course this is after they’ve been married over twenty years and their kids are grown up.  I hope someday to emulate that quality in my own marriage.