Walking with the Wise #166: Integrity Matters

"A faithful witness does not lie,

but a false witness breathes out lies."

-Proverbs 14:5

There are many things in life that a man can depend on—his money, power, influence, etc. But if everything in his life is taken away from him, there is only one thing that remains—his integrity. Integrity means more than the greatest of riches, as David wrote:

“O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent?
Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved”
—Psalm 15:1-5

Being a person of integrity means telling the truth (v. 2), keeping our tongues from slander (v. 3), seeking our neighbor’s good (v. 3), refusing to put down our friend (v. 3), discomfort around those who despise God, but honoring those who fear Him (v. 4). The person of integrity makes a promise and won’t break it (v. 4), nor does he seek to take advantage of his neighbor (v. 5). He tells the truth because He knows that God is truthful, and to lie is to sacrifice his integrity.

How quickly we speak against our friends and neighbors! How often are our mouths filled with lies! May God forgive us! When we lie, we are aligning ourselves with the evil one, because he is the father of lies (John 8:44). We must tell the truth, holding fast to our integrity, knowing it is pleasing to God, and He will direct every way for our good when we honor Him.

May the Lord our God, who is the God of truth, help us to tell the truth in each and every situation. May we be faithful witnesses who are known for our integrity, and may God use our example to reach others for the glory of His name. Amen.