Integrity: What I Am When I’m Alone With God

In review of Matthew 5:8 it says, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”

Bottom Line:

God will bless those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

What this means to me:

When my heart is pure, I’ll get to see and experience his presence and his goodness in my life.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (NLT).  To “see God” means to experience His presence. A pureness in heart on my part will allow me to get to better know His purpose for my life. I’ll get to live in his peace as I experience his pardon.

Interestingly enough, being pure in heart is not a phrase that is used much in our society. A better term may be the word “integrity.” To have integrity does not mean you need to be perfect.  Integrity is about being whole, authentic and consistent in motivation.

1). Integrity is wholeness.

I think a lot of people think of their life like a pie, and the different parts of their life are the pieces in the pie. Each slice making up part of their lives; i.e.. career/work, spiritual life, family life, social life and maybe even a secret life; my compulsions, addictions, and the things nobody else knows about. Unfortunately If I was to segment life like this, my integrity can lack, because my life would not be a whole. Integrity means that I’m the same person with everybody, in your speech, actions, and motives, no matter which part of life I’m dealing with.

2). Integrity is authenticity.

I’m told that during plays in ancient Greek culture, there was one guy who would play multiple roles. He would come onstage wearing a mask and then go backstage to put on a different mask to play another role. This person was called the “hupokrites,” and it’s where we the word “hypocrite” comes from. If I was to wear masks so that I appear one way in front of some people and another way for others, it would show a lack of authenticity on my part. In life, God wants me to be exactly who he made me to be, no matter who is watching or even is no one is watching.

3). Integrity is having unmixed motivations.

It means doing the right thing, and doing it for the right reason. I have unmixed motivations and pure motives. I would be sincere and straightforward in every area of life and with all people. So while I might be interested in my image, God is interested in my integrity. I may be interested in reputation, but God is interested in my character. Reputation is what everybody thinks I am. Integrity is what I really am. Reputation is what I am in public. Integrity is what I am when I’m all alone with God.

In summary, God blesses those who have integrity. They are the ones who get to be his friends. “The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity” (Proverbs 11:20).