Do I Act the Same in Public and In Private?

In Matthew 5:8 I read, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (NLT)

Am I working to build my life on values that last?  One larger value is learning to live with integrity. 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 the presence of God. A believer with a pure heart will get to feel the power of, the experience of, and the purpose of God for their lives. They get to live in the peace of God. 

To be one of these people requires “integrity.” To have integrity does not mean I’m perfect because if it did, no one does.

Integrity is wholeness. A lot of people think of their lives like a pie, and the different parts of their lives are the pieces of the pie. Someone might describe their life like this: “This slice of the pie is my career. This is my work life. This is my spiritual life. Then this is my family life. That one is my social life. Then over here is my secret life—my compulsions, addictions, and the things nobody else knows about.”

If I segment my life like that, I lack integrity because my life is not a whole. Integrity means I’m the same person everywhere and with everybody—in speech, actions, and motives—no matter which part of life I’m walking through.

Integrity is uncorrupted motivation. When I have integrity, I do the right thing, and for the right reason. I have unmixed, pure motives. I’m sincere and straightforward in every area of life and with all people. I pray to talk with God, not to impress others. The Bible says, “The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity” (Proverbs 11:20 NLT).

In general we are all interested in image, but God is interested in integrity. We’re interested in reputation, but God is interested in character. Reputation has to do with what everybody thinks you are; integrity is what you really are. My reputation is connected to who I appear to be in public; integrity is connected to who I am when I’m all alone with God.

So am I more concerned about my image and reputation than my character and integrity? Today I need to commit to being a person of integrity.

In summary, I'm blessed when my heart is pure, which is living my life with integrity. Having integrity doesn't mean I need to be sinless or that I don't make mistakes. I just need a heart that is wholly committed to God. God looks at why I do what I do, regardless of what I do. It's easy to take shortcuts or do things in a way that appeases others just to get out of a situation or avoid doing what may be more difficult to do.