On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your integrity?
Webster defines integrity as: “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” I like to think of it as “who you are behind closed doors.”
Because here’s the truth: opportunities will come. Doors will open. Others may present offers. But who is looking out for you? Who is responsible for your integrity?
Here’s the scary truth:
- I can lead worship in front of thousands…but no one knows if I even seek God behind closed doors.
- I can write the most powerful songs that people love…but no one knows if I even pray.
- I can pen the greatest blog posts in the whole world…but no one knows if I even read my Bible at all.
- I can mentor others…but no one knows if I’m looking at pornography.
- I can preach sermons about reaching the world…but how long has it actually been since I led someone to Christ?
Scary, isn’t it? See how easy it is to present a version of yourself to the world but live another way when no one is watching?
Who is responsible for your integrity? Well, you are, my friend. And this is an area you can’t afford to neglect.
It’s easy to overlook because no one knows. No one sees. You can do whatever you want. The crowds aren’t watching. They’ll never know.
But what happens when you ignore your integrity? Your heart starts to erode. The steady disobedience to God and ignorance to His voice will eventually destroy you.
You may become successful. You may be a celebrity. You may seem to have the favor of God all over your life but eventually it will catch up to you. And let me tell you – it’s not worth it.
Consider this:
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Proverbs 11:3)
Let your integrity guide you. Don’t allow a double life to destroy you.
How Do I Guard My Integrity?
I’m not talking about more willpower. I’m not talking about more self-righteousness. I’m not talking about following a moral code so that you can be proud of yourself and worship your own holiness.
I’m calling the broken – those who have screwed up. I’m calling those who feel like it’s impossible on their own. Because you know what? It is.
You need God. You need the Holy Spirit at work in your life. Apart from God, you are dead.
I’m talking about falling to your knees every day and praying Psalm 119:37:
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
No one else will do this for you. No one else is responsible. Don’t shortcut your integrity. If anything needs to scale back, scale back the public ministry.
Never focus on the open door or the opportunity at the expense of your integrity [tweet that].
I’d love to hear from you in the comments section.
How do you take responsibility for your integrity? What has helped you?
You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
I’ve let a small group of people have “all access” to me. They can ask me any question, anytime of day. It can be hard, but it is well worth it. I know these people are ‘for me’. They love me, they love my family, they believe in the ministry I am doing..
Another way: Honesty is an ally when I’m seeking to keep my integrity. It’s a funny thing (maybe not so much) when my integrity is on the line and I mess up… the tendency is to keep quite or hide (as in the garden). It is incredibly easy to rationalize myself out of making things right.
I ignore it (being honest) for fear of not measuring up in the eyes of those who are watching and listening, or even letting someone down.
So good, Jason. A vulnerable leader is a leader who can be trusted.
Henry Cloud defines integrity as the courage to meet the demands of reality. Your question asking people to evaluate their level of integrity is an important one. Knowing where you are currently and then developing a plan to move from here to there is critical.