Integrity means an uncompromising adherence to a code of values; utter sincerity, honesty, and candor; avoidance of deception, expediency, artificiality, or shallowness of any kind.  So, it is a very comprehensive attribute.

Integrity, unlike most spiritual matters, is something that lost men can have as well as saved men.  A lost man with integrity is going to be a better citizen than a saved man without it.  Getting saved does not give it to you.  It is not something you pray for; it is something you develop.  It is a matter of character.

You need integrity.  It is the difference between success and failure; if you have none you are a failure.

Integrity guides you – Prov 11:3. – Integrity is a code of values that you don’t compromise.  A young man said about his business training that he was trained to falsify reports in a way that was believable because that is the way that business is run.  He said, “it may be a believable story but it is still not the truth”. Therefore, he doesn’t falsify the reports. You may not get as rich with integrity but you will be richer in character than a wealthy man who is perverse in his ways.

Coupled with trust in the Lord, integrity keeps you from backsliding – Ps 26:1.  In other words, we attribute backsliding to only a spiritual condition but it is more than that.  It is a character problem. You will deal with backsliding no matter how much you read and pray if you do not develop some integrity.

Integrity is a defense against the devil – Job 2:3,9.  Dealing with the devil is not just a spiritual problem either.  In other words, if you have integrity there are a lot of things that the devil can’t tempt you with.

Integrity affects your children – Prov 20:7.  Integrity not only affects the children, it affects the children of your children. This is a letter from a granddaughter to a granddad.

“A while back there was a girl that I was talking to that asked me what it was that inspired me to pursue my relationship with Christ. Of course, my response was that it was because he died for me. Why wouldn’t I want to pursue that kind of relationship?

“But as I started thinking more about that, I knew there was more to it. I’ve seen an excellent example of what a relationship with God is supposed to look like.  It’s you.  Since I was little, I had always noticed you read your Bible. At that point, I didn’t really understand why.  I just knew you set aside a part of your day to spend time alone with God.

“Now that I’m older, I realize the importance of spending time listening and talking to our Creator.  A few years ago, I went to a church retreat for the youth, and God really spoke to me and told me to start digging in the word.  It was a little difficult at first, especially because I’m so busy.  But I managed to do it.  Slowly but surely it finally became a habit. And I’m so glad I started doing it.

“Things got pretty rough last year and high school isn’t helping that much either.  But I know if I didn’t have my quiet times I would never make it through.  Anytime I get stressed or frustrated, I know it’s time to go sit in a closet somewhere and just think, listen, and read.  And if nothing is wrong, then I can just sit and praise God.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say to be careful with what you do because people are watching. I always blew that off because I didn’t realize that so many people actually watch what you do.  But now that people talk about how proud of me they are, I’m glad I act the way I do.  But if I wouldn’t have grown up seeing you make God your first priority I don’t think I would be where I am right now.  I don’t think I’d be living the life that I am if I didn’t have you to look up to.  I admire you for that and for so many things.

“I wanna be just like you when I grow up, when I really and truly grow up. I don’t think I’m quite there yet. I still think of myself as a spoiled child.  But someday I’ll calm down and I hope that I’ll end up kind of person you are.  I watch you when you don’t think anyone is looking.  I see how selfless you are. I see how you are so patient and sweet with people even when they’re being obnoxious.  I see you befriending people, not just to be nice, but because you see that they have something of value offer.  I witness the way you love your family and friends.  And I hear when people speak highly of you.  I feel your humility. I admire your strength, wisdom, experience, and heart.  I feel warmed by your presence. I feel accepted and appreciated whenever I’m near you. I know my best is good enough.  And even though I’m far from this goal, someday when I grow up, when I really and truly grow up, I wanna be a person just like you.

I just wanted to thank you.  The way you live your life has really made a huge difference in the way I live mine.  I love you more than anything”.

Integrity affects the outcome of your judgment at the judgment seat of Christ – Ps 7:8.  Integrity has eternal consequences.  David wrote, “judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me”.  Integrity is a character trait that will help you keep from doing bad things in your body (2 Cor 5:10) and wrong in your service (Col 3:25).

Conclusion: So, develop some integrity.  It will help your Christian walk.