How can we manifest integrity?

But how is integrity practiced on a daily basis? Where do people watch us most closely? Peter

answers that question. He identifies several arenas where integrity is put to the test with the

watching world observing our reaction. He also provides some practical solutions to take in

those arenas so that our integrity will stay in tact.

1. In tempting circumstances, stay away

"Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that

war against you" (1 Peter 2:11). To abstain means not to get involved with or to keep away

from.

In tempting situations, we are to flee. To run. Get away. That means avoiding situations where

you easily fall to temptation. It may mean having move with a trusted friend when visiting the

opposite sex. It may mean never traveling with someone of the opposite sex alone on a

business trip. It may mean avoiding certain groups of people where you are easily swayed into

destructive behavior.

2. In authoritative situations, show respect

"Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the

supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and

to praise those who do good. . . . Honor everyone" (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17).

Peter instructs us to respect the government and the ones who enforces the laws for the

government. We are to submit, or to yield. He says that we are to yield to authority. Yielding

to authority is a mark of a believer. Submission or yielding is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign

of self-control. It is saying I don't have to have my way all the time.

Integrity says I may not like the law, but I will obey it. Integrity says I may not like the person

in the office, but I will honor the position. Integrity says I may not like direction the nation is

going, but I will pray for God's intervention. Integrity says I will obey God first, even if it means

that I suffer the penalty for doing the right thing.

3. In the work environment, stand for what is right

"Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good

and gentle but also to the cruel" (1 Peter 2:18).

Slavery was prevalent in the Roman Empire. Some 60 million people were slaves. They were

not considered persons, but rather property of their owners. While we don't have this form

of slavery in our country today, this verse still is applicable. Allow me to change two words.

"Employees, submit yourselves to your employers with all respect, not only to those who are

good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh."

As believers in Christ, our integrity goes to work with us. It manifests itself in the way we treat

our boss, our clients, and fellow employees. It, also, manifests itself in the way we respond to

the company's procedures and policies, to difficult and sometimes unjust assignments, and

the work place, itself. It further manifests itself in our attitude and convictions and honesty

we display at our place of work. Remember, those people are watching.

Integrity demands that we stand for what is the right and the upright thing to do at all times.

4. In suffering, seek God

series: Values-Based Living

Topic: Integrity

Proverbs 10:9 says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will

be found out.” The man of integrity has security in his life, whereas the man of crooked paths

is going to be uncovered.

Integrity defined further

Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn't succumb

to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority. Integrity is to personal character

what health is to the body. Integrity comes from the word integer meaning number.

A person of integrity is whole, their lives are put together. People with integrity have nothing

to hide and nothing to fear. As the scripture we just read, "The one who lives with integrity

lives securely". Their lives are open books. They say to a watching world, "Go ahead and look.

My behavior will match my beliefs. My walk will match my talk. My character will match my

confession. Who I am on Sunday will be the same on Monday and every other day of the

week."

How Jesus Modeled integrity

Without a doubt, Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His life evidenced his purity and

excellent character, that his enemies could only declare, "When they came, they said to Him,

"Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don't show partiality but

teach truthfully the way of God" (Mark 12:14).

The New International Version translates it, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity."

Even at the conclusion of his life here on earth as he stood before Pilate in the mockery of a

trial, the ruler said, ""I find no grounds for charging this man" (Luke 23:4). There was no basis

for guilt, no evidence of fault, found in Jesus. In other words, his behavior matched his belief,

his walk matched his talk, his character matched his confession.

It is for these reasons that Peter instructed all believers: "For you were called to this, because

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps"

1Peter 2:21. Peter gives us the example, the model of integrity that we should follow. If the

world is watching us, then we should be watching Christ. We should follow his example. We

should do as he has done.

The same challenge is presented today. Will we walk in Jesus' steps? Will we follow his model?

Will we make a pledge that before any major decision to ask, "What would Jesus do?" Will we

live a life of integrity?