Integrity, Character, Truth

I had a boss once that had her integrity questioned. She was greatly offended, but it turned out the question was valid. What she did wasn’t illegal, but it was unethical and would have impacted the future of a couple of employees. It also was easily discoverable, and other than being offended at being found out, there was no defense. It did impact her future with the company.

In a recent e-mail from Focus on the Family, John MacArthur was quoted:

According to Scripture, virtually everything that truly qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character. It's not about style, status, personal charisma, clout, or worldly measurements of success. Integrity is the main issue that makes the difference between a good leader and a bad one.

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. (Proverbs 10:8-9 KJV)

As I mentioned the other day, the meaning of words change over the years. Rather than look upon “character” as the moral or ethical quality of an individual (as when I grew up), today it means the combined traits of an individual and is used in network advertising to cover differences in individuals rather than a measure of honesty.

Our nation has fluctuated with the activism of outspoken groups who will not be denied the desires of their heart, while our Lord inspired:

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:4-5 KJV)

Does that really mean we will achieve the desires of our heart even if it is outside of God’s will for our lives? I doubt it, when we read further:

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (Psalms 37:6 KJV)

Our actions will show our integrity and character – will they stand up to truth in the light of day? In the light of God’s judgment? The example for Christians is always Jesus, who is the truth, the way and the light. Do our combined traits reflect His humility? His obedience to our Father’s will? Will we stand in the light of His judgment and be as truthful as Jesus before Pilate?

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37 KJV)

Can we say we were born to serve God – or to achieve personal goals that have no bearing on God’s love?

Do we take pride in our own integrity and character without knowing truth?

Or, as my one boss – are we offended when someone does show us the truth? I need to be certain of my own answers before I can understand someone else's answers or ideas.