Living With And Maintaining Integrity

In review of 2 Corinthians 4:2 it says, “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open.”

Bottom Line:

Refuse to do underhanded things and manipulate things behind the scenes. Rather, keep what you do out in the open.

What this means to me:

I refuse to hide behind or play underhanded games. I do not maneuver, trick, manipulate things behind the scenes or act with deceit. Rather, I keep everything I do and say out in the open.

Living and practicing integrity means that every area of life be treated with the same intensity. I have the same commitment to excellence in everything I do.  Living and practicing integrity means that I:

Keep my promises - Having integrity means that I will keep my word. If I say I’ll do it, then I do it. If I say I’ll be there, I show up. This verse in Proverbs 25:14 reminds me that, “People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain” (TEV).

Pay my bills on time - Being honest and trustworthy is a big deal to God. Part of this is honoring my commitments. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrow and never pay back.”

Refuse to gossip - I should never talk about people behind their back. In fact I shouldn’t even listen to gossip! “A … gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence” (Proverbs 11:13 MSG).

Faithfully tithe - Wherever I put my money first is what’s most important to me. Malachi 3:8-10 says, “Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings …. Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple …. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things” (TEV).

By doing my best at work - The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (NLT). My real boss is God, and whether or not anybody else sees my work, God will.

By being real with others - A person of integrity doesn’t act one way in church and another way at work and another way at a social setting. “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open” (2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG).

In summary, I need to live with Integrity in all I do.  This means that I refuse to hide behind or play underhanded games. I do not maneuver, trick, manipulate things behind the scenes or act with deceit. Rather, I keep everything I do and say out in the open.