Integrity

Job 2:3 "And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason." ESV

 

Integrity. Integrity is defined as: "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." (Dictionary.com) Job was a man of integrity. He was a guy adhered, who stuck to his moral and ethical principles no matter what. After going through all of the garbage that he went through, after losing it all including his kids God still had this to say about him: "there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil.". Sounds familiar. Why? Because in 1:8 God said: "there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil". Same exact words because no matter what, Job was the same exact man. He had an adherence to his character. It was like glue. No one and nothing could wrestle Job's character from him. This was integrity.

 

Integrity. How we yearn for it in our leaders. If only we would have guys who did not waver. If only we had people who stuck to their character, who believed in their principles. If you were to scan the political spectrum today, you would find a guy who is our President who waffles. You would also find another guy who is, at this time, leading in the Republican race who likes to change positions. These are not men of integrity. They try to figure out which way the political wind blows, take a poll and mold their positions based upon what other people think. Sad.

 

But then I have to come down to a more personal level. What about me? Do I waffle? Do I try to figure out what I think people want to hear? More significantly, when the pressure heats up, am I a guy who is blameless, upright, fearing God, turning from evil…or do I compromise who I am and what I say I believe to make things more comfortable for me? This is not integrity…this is hypocrisy.

 

God, allow me to stick to who You are. Your character. Your reputation. Please allow me to be consistent no matter what.