Distinction in Integrity

Prayer:- Make us to conform to the image of your son.

I will borrow the definition of Distinction from the recent mail sent by one of our leaders in this church, and it says: I have made my children in such a way that when the people of the world are sitting, they would be standing, when the world is standing, they will stand out, when the world stands out, my children must be outstanding and when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, my people will be the standards to be used! That to me, is distinction.

Integrity can be a slippery word to define. It’s like the story of some theologians who were trying to come up with an accurate definition of the word, so they invited a philosopher into the room. “Tell us,” they said, “What is integrity?” The philosopher pondered the question. “Integrity,” he finally said, “is what you’re like when nobody else is around.” The panel thanked him, then ushered in the businessman and asked for his definition. “In my world,” the business man said, “Integrity means a person is as good as his word.” After thanking him, the panel invited a lawyer to join them. “What is integrity?” they asked. The attorney’s eyes cautiously scanned the room. He crept over to the door, opened it, looked outside to make sure nobody was listening, and then bolted it shut. He closed the windows and sat down close to the Theologians. “Tell me,” he finally whispered, “What do you want it to mean?”

The term “integrity” has within it the idea of an integer. What is an integer? Within the realm of mathematics, an integer is one whole number. It is not one number and part of another number. It is not fractionalized. Rather, an integer suggests completeness or wholeness. Integrity is doing the right thing especially when it costs us.

A man of integrity is one whose Godly beliefs have been integrated into his behavior. A person of integrity is not fractionalized with duplicity or hypocrisy. A heart and life of integrity is consistent in one honest direction. If a person of integrity begins a job, they finish it. If they make a promise, they keep it, even if it gets pricey. If they commit a huge mistake, they admit it. They do not stretch the truth to get out of trouble. Their yes is yes and their no is no, because they imbibe the fact that anything beyond this is from the evil one. The men and women of integrity has a pure motive. They do not manipulate people. If they believe something, they support that belief with their lifestyle. In this sense, they are whole and complete without a fractionalized life.

There is the tendency for you to think that when one sees a man of integrity, one easily know them. But in 99.9% of the case it is not so. In the book of 1 Samuel, we read how King Saul turned out to be a disobedient king. God told Samuel that one of the sons of Jesse would be chosen as Israel’s next king. Seven of Jesse’s sons were passed over. When Samuel was looking at Jesse’s sons to determine which one of them was to be anointed the next King of Israel, the LORD told Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

We learn from this that integrity is not something that we can necessarily see. Samuel could not see it, but God could. So integrity is an issue of the heart that God sees. David, Jesse’s youngest son, was finally chosen. It’s okay that such a young guy was chosen, but this is not the most remarkable fact in the story. The amazing thing I find in this story is not so much that David was the youngest, but that God was examining hearts at such an early age. God is watching your heart. And so the all-important issue that we must all face is “Do you have a heart of integrity?” because Integrity is the bedrock of ministry.

2 Cor 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

Now! knowing that it is expected of us to conduct ourselves in this world in simplicity and godly sincerity. What are those things that come between us integrity.

Five Factors that do tarnish Integrity

PLEASURE: James 5:5  You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

Pleasure has rubbed so many people of the blessings that come from being a man or woman of integrity. If we allow it, the desire for pleasure will talk us into doing things we will regret afterward.

Let me read to you a write up from the book: Strengthening Your Grip by Charles Swindoll.

“Some time ago, I heard about a fellow in Long Beach who went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady with him. She waited in the care while he went in to pick up the chicken. Inadvertently, the manager of the store handed the guy the box in which he had placed the financial proceeds of the day instead of the box of chicken. You see, he was going to make a deposit and had camouflaged it by putting the money in a fried chicken box. The fellow took his box, went back to the car, and the two of them drove away. When they got to the park and opened the box, they discovered they had a box full of money… He realized there must have been a mistake, so he got back in his car and returned to the place and gave the money back to the manager. Well, the manager was delighted! He was so pleased that he told the young man, “Stick around, I want to call the newspaper and have them take your picture. You’re the honest guy in town.” “Oh, no, don’t do that!” said the fellow. “Why not?” asked the manager. “Well,” he said, “You see, I’m married, and the woman I’m with right now is not my wife.”

This man has robbed himself of the blessings of integrity because of pleasure. On the surface of life, we demonstrate integrity. You return the money that’s not yours. You pay your bills on time. You work hard at your jobs. You volunteer at your church and organizations. But if someone were to write a story about your life, would you really want them to write everything? The woman you’re with now, is she your wife? The man you’re with now, is she your husband? How many times have you cheated in your marriage? Or are there child or children you have born out of wedlock that you have neglected because you cannot stand up to your responsibility? Pleasure will reap anyone of the blessing that comes from integrity. Psalm 25:21  Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

King David was an example of someone that couldn’t maintain his integrity in the corridor of pleasure. When you and I sin, and our sin is made known, we may very well suffer for years or even our entire lifetime because of our sin. David’s life proves it. After Uriah and Bathsheba, David lost the illegitimate child; David experienced rape within his own family; he lost his son Absalom; he was never able to build God’s temple – something he desperately longed to do. In contrast, Governor Joseph was a man that wouldn’t let Potiphar’s wife to lure him into displeasing God. He maintained his integrity and was richly rewarded for it.

POWER :- Many of the recent scandals in American business have developed because executives abused the power of their positions. They began to think that the assets of the publicly traded companies they led could be treated as their personal property. Unfortunately, for many people having power is like drinking salt water. The more you drink, the thirstier you get. The danger of power is those who are entrusted with it begin to make its preservation their primary concern. They easily forget that the power they have been given – whether it’s in business, government, ministry, or relationships – has been bestowed on them for the purpose of service. Those who really want to keep their power at all costs or those who want to protect the level of their power and status are most likely to compromise standard ethical behaviors, and thus cross the line of integrity.

• King Herod & Jesus
• King Pharoah & Moses
• Haman abused his office & wanted to get Modecai hanged

PRIDE :- Pride is not an easy thing to conquer. Benjamin Franklin observed that “there is perhaps not one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive. Even if you could conceive that you had completely overcome it, you would probably be proud of your humility. Not only does pride has the potential to undermine our integrity, it can also interfere with our performance. Pride can blind you – to your own faults, to other people’s need, and to integral pitfalls that lie in your path.

Queen Vashti became proud & crossed ethical boundary by refusing the call of King Ahaserus

On the contrary when Queeen Esther was to appear before the king contrary to traditional procedure, she first seek the face of the Lord. Integrity! Doing the right thing even when it become pricey.

PRIORITIES: Anytime a person doesn’t know what his priorities are, he can find himself in trouble, because he is liable to make poor decisions. Things that matter most must not be at the mercy of things that matter least. 1 Cor 9: 15  But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. Apostle Paul knew his priorities. What are your own priorities? In twenty to fifty years what are you doing now that will still be important to you? The house you live in, the car you drive The vacation you take, the work and business you are doing won’t mean much to you. What really matters? If you haven’t defined your values, I encourage you to do so. Then work hard to keep the unimportant from becoming important, and the important from becoming unimportant.

PRESSURE: Mat 14:9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. Pressure!

In our fast-paced culture, I think just about everyone feels some king of pressure. And with pressure comes temptation to cut corners or bend the truth. Salespeople feel pressure to increase sale volume, student face pressure to increase grade, husbands face pressure to meet up with family financial needs and desires

The pressure to want to leave the developing countries into the advanced countries has made so many to lower their standards and cross the boundaries of integrity. They have gone to the embassy to lie and have gone into the advanced countries, and have built the foundation of their living their on lies, and we know that if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do.

The bible says Job held fast his integrity. The only reason he could do that was because of his relationship with God, despite all the pressure he faced. They said: Cause God and die, but we’re made to understand that in all his trial he did not do any wrong thing.

As you face pressure, beware of how you might be tempted to compromise your values, and ask yourself some tough questions like: Am I going to make rash emotional decisions? Am I going to make promises I can’t keep? Am I going to compromise the truth? In order to make good decisions under pressure I always remind myself of what’s at stake. First, I am accountable to God. Secondly I am accountable to my family.

Prov.30:21-23  21 For three [things] the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22 For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23 A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.