One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2
As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You place me in Your presence forever. Psalm 41:12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. Psalm 84:11
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice,
And He watches over the way of His godly ones. Proverbs 2:6-8
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity, than a person who is crooked, though he is rich. Proverbs 28:6
The English word ‘integrity’ here is translated from the Hebrew word תֹּם / tom / tōm which is from the Hebrew root word תָּמִים / tamiym / tah-MEEM meaning without defect, blameless, without blemish, perfect, integrity, unblemished, whole. תָּמִים (tamim) describes that which is whole, sound, or complete. The word moves easily between the physical, moral, ritual, and theological spheres, uniting them under the idea of undivided wholeness “blameless” for persons, “without blemish” for offerings, and “perfect” for the ways and works of God. (Biblehub)
How does one grow and strengthen their integrity? How does one work towards being ‘perfect’?
Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
The Apostle John said, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:12-13
The key I see here for God’s integrity is actually just … Him. The Holy Spirit living within us. How much do we yield to His instruction and direction? How much do we seek His counsel? How much have we surrendered to Him? Not just once but moment by moment, as we walk through each day, conversing together in prayer. Wouldn’t it be Him working out the life of Christ within us? How else will we change? How else can we even begin the process of having more integrity?
It is easy to talk about the inverse. What weakens our integrity? Fastening ourselves to others of weak integrity. Listening to lies. Agreeing with the enemies of God. Being legalist in rules and without compassion. Unforgiveness weakens integrity. Being ‘double-minded’ in our ways makes for weak integrity.
The person who has real integrity will be one of humility, knowing how much they need the grace and mercy of God …every day. Pride cannot be within integrity. Integrity is slow to speak and quick to listen.
For us humans we can have real swings of good days and bad days, and that includes our integrity. Much of those swings are determined by how close with allow the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Are you constantly turning your focus onto Him?
Oh Lord my integrity isn’t anything without YOU! Jesus YOU are my integrity. Holy Spirit teach me the ways of Jesus. Help me grow in YOU! Lord Jesus – teach us YOUR love. Teach us how to stay in the center of YOUR will. I want to be one that can walk with YOU always. Help us to recognize YOUR Truth. YOU Jesus are our greatest Treasure. Holy Spirit I yield to YOU!