Do you desire to be a person with integrity? As we learned last week, one of the definitions of integrity is incorruptibility. Incorruptibility itself is defined as something that incapable of corruption; someone who cannot be perverted or bribed; or something that will not dissolve, disintegrate, or decay.

The reason that God decided to flood the earth was because of corruption: “God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways (Genesis 6:12). When we corrupt our ways, then the earth itself becomes corrupted. It’s pretty scary, isn’t it, to think about the compounding effect of our lack of obedience? By the way, the basic definition of corrupt is to change from good to bad. Psalms 14:2-3 clarifies this definition: “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

So now we can make an assumption that if we are not corrupted, and we do not corrupt, then we are good.  How can we be good, and incapable of becoming bad?  And how can we become incapable of being corrupted, someone who cannot be perverted or bribed? How can we ensure that we will not disintegrate, and therefore maintain our integrity?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Surround yourself with good friends, friends who appreciate the battles that we face and who will keep you accountable.  (And be that friend to others.)  Note the places you are more likely to find friends with Christian values, and avoid the places where you are more likely to find those who do not share your Christian values. It will be far easier to avoid corruption if you are surrounded by like-minded people.
2. Zealously strive for purity. You have heard the term “garbage in/garbage out.” Be careful what you take into your brain—what you watch on the screen and listen to in your earphones. It will be far easier to avoid corruption if you are not filling your mind with trash but instead with wholesome words, music, and pictures.
3. Replace bad habits with good habits. This involves diligently confessing even the least concern and resolving to begin doing something in its place that is more pleasing to God.  For example, if you regularly spend money on lottery tickets (just as an example—there are many others), then instead resolve to use that money to benefit someone less fortunate or increase your church offering, etc. Rick Warren says “Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.”
4. Adopt an attitude of gratitude. This will help you to build a stronger and more durable “skin” to withstand the slings and arrows that the devil uses against us by discouraging us and making us feel sorry for ourselves, which then make us vulnerable to corruption. If we look for blessings, we will find them. If we look for reasons to praise God, those reasons will present themselves. Stay invincible by staying thankful.
5. Follow all the commandments, but especially the first one (which will make all the others easier): “You shall have no other gods before me.”  As you most likely know, this is very difficult. Even though we know God is our Creator, and how could we as His creation worship anyone or anything but Him, we do. Even Solomon, who God blessed so abundantly as the richest and wisest man on earth, “… offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places” (1 Kings 3:3). However, nearing the end of his life, Solomon observed “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
6. Above all, constantly ask God for wisdom, which is the sound application of God’s Word. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

Why is it important to have integrity? This is our witness, our testimony, as followers of Christ. Paul encouraged Titus (a pastor) to not only speak, but to model a God-filled life to his congregation. He wrote: “Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around” (Titus 2:1-8 The Message).

In Christ,

Judy