Feb 11 – INTEGRITY !

“He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known” (Proverbs 10: 9).

The entire Book of Proverbs lays stress on the theme of ‘walking in integrity’. What is integrity? Generally, we see the term ‘integrity’ occurring along with ‘truth’. Integrity is a characteristic that represents wholeness, reliability and unblemished purity. An excellent quality without any lie, distortion of truth or deceit – the quality that brings out honesty and righteousness.

You can find the fruits of good qualities in those living in integrity. They will never deceive or cheat others. They will be wise and walk in their integrity in all aspects of life.

The Lord eagerly longs for such integrity from each one of us. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, while all others lived in their sins and iniquities.That is why Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6: 8).

The Lord saw that the generations in the times of Noah were wicked in their ways and that their hearts were full of evil intents. The Lord therefore wanted to destroy all of them from the face of the earth. But because of the integrity of Noah, the Lord preserved him and his family in the ark. In a similar manner the Lord called Abraham and said to him: “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17: 1).

Those who say something and do something completely different, can never live in integrity. There are many who cannot practice what they preach. It is because there is no integrity in them. There was a person who arranged the marriages in many families, but his own married life went in to ruins, as he did not have integrity.

There are many psychotherapists, who are not able to find solutions to their own problems and end up in committing suicide. And many financial advisors living in poverty and deprivation. This is because there is neither truth nor integrity in their lives. Whatever may the level of education, a person needs integrity. Only when they have such integrity, can you rely on them and their advice.

Children of God, if you want your life to be strong as a pillar, you should determine in your hearts to live a life of truth and integrity before men and in the eyes of God. Only your life of integrity can add strength to your life.

Verse for further meditation: “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 18: 13).