Posted by Troy Blackmon on 15 July 2009 | 0 Comments

Modern dictionaries define ‘integrity’ as “The state of being whole, complete, undivided or undiminished” and “in a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.” Synonyms include “incorruptibility, honesty, coherence, entireness, purity, unity, and virtue.”  The term is derived from the root word ‘integrate,’ meaning “To make or form into one whole.”  For Christians, integrity is a basic virtue and essential character quality.  Would it be God-honoring for a Christian to be described as “wholly committed to Christ, but lacking integrity?”  Of course not!  It doesn’t ‘compute’ for us, does it? Few would seriously argue that integrity isn’t a vital aspect of a fruitful Christian walk.  But what does integrity really mean in simple words everyone can grasp?  If we can deeply understand it, perhaps we can better cultivate this essential attribute in our everyday lives.  As we’re fond of saying in C12, if we can understand something, we can measure it, teach it, manage it, improve it, reinforce it, and celebrate it.  Next, let’s consider whether, for Christians, the concept of integrity has an even deeper meaning than the dictionary provides.

Using Kingdom Terms

Practically speaking, integrity means that we live without obvious contradiction between what we say we believe and what we actually do. There’s an observable consistency about them, linking their words to their actions. A common slang expression for people with integrity is that they “walk their talk,” meaning that what they say and do are consistent.  A ‘high integrity’ person lives out of one value system, not two or more. Consider Chuck Swindoll’s paraphrased comments on integrity:

“You have integrity if you complete a job when no one is looking, keeping your word and promise even when no one checks up on you. Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy. What you declare, you will do your best to be.  Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person of integrity doesn’t manipulate others and isn’t prone to arrogance or self-praise.  Integrity even invites constructive criticism because it applauds accountability.  Integrity is having the guts to tell the truth, even if it may hurt to do so and even though cheating may bring about a ‘better’ result.  It’s sound.  It’s solid.  It’s complete.  The important thing is not what work you do, but whether you do your work with integrity.”

Integrity’s opposite is ‘hypocrisy,’ which occurs when we ‘compartmentalize’ our lives and live according to varying standards in different spheres or circumstances.  Dictionaries define hypocrisy as “feigning to be what one is not; insincerity; a counterfeiting of religion.”  Synonyms include “deceit, double-talk, duplicity, falsity, lip-service, phariseeism, phoniness, pretense, sanctimoniousness, self-righteousness, and two-facedness.”  ‘Hypocrite’ is derived from an ancient Greek word that refers to wearing a mask.  Behind the ‘front’ of our mask we’re someone else.  Hypocrites ‘pose’ in order to hide their true character while living out of multiple, often contradictory, value systems. 

Simply put, we must stop presenting ourselves as the message and begin presenting Jesus.  We imperfect saints will always fall short when we point to our own feeble efforts. Our message is that we’ll always fall short and that Jesus is the answer!

I’ve Got It! Or do I?

At this point, a fair question might be, “Why take so much time to merely state the obvious?”  The answer: “Because the obvious is not so obvious in practice.” Think about it. If we agree that Christians must display integrity – living out of one value system – what is that value system and where does it come from?  Is it simply a matter of honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity?  Is such virtue only practiced in the context of church relationships or between believers?  Is integrity a unique Christian virtue? Or do other religions call for integrity as well?  Let’s look at these questions one at a time.
First, integrity is not exclusively Christian ‘claim’ since other religions call for it as well. Jews preach integrity and Muslims demand it.  Even Satanists expect adherents to be consistent in their faith.  Integrity within ‘relativist’ sects demands legalistic adherence to ‘tolerance’ in which no other ‘exclusive truth’ will be tolerated.   
Actually, regarding consistency, Christianity asks no more than other religions.  It’s in the object of this requirement that Christianity is quite distinctive.  While other religions ask for basic honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity, they can be, in some ways, even more demanding than our faith.  Since Christianity is the only faith built upon grace – not works – others can’t extend forgiveness when their followers fail.  Against the standard of our perfectly holy and righteous God (i.e., Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” [Mt 5:48]), we clearly fail in our own strength.  However, those ‘in Christ’ receive full pardon by the blood of Christ.  Many other ‘religious’ adherents will never know the privilege of such lavish grace!

Compromise is the enemy of integrity.  We often ‘package’ it for easier consumption by carefully rationalizing, so as not to seem like we’re rejecting godly principles… a bit here, a little there, a white lie, a truth omitted. Compromise is nearly always presented as a ‘pragmatic’ or seemingly reasonable way forward, but never delivers.  Attempting to live on such a slippery slope, explaining away compromise based on circumstances, never satisfies! In fact, we incur great eternal cost as we deprive ourselves and others the opportunity to see God’s power displayed and end up masking His sovereignty!
To compromise godly principles is always sin. It makes no difference whether it enables us to generate a profit or apparent ‘long-term’ gain.  When we compromise the things of God, we sin.  Why would we do things at work that we’d never dream of doing in church?  Why do we live so much for this world and so little for the next?

Psychologists say that there are two primary motivators in our day-to-day lives: the fear of loss and the hope of reward. Like Peter leaving the boat to meet Christ, we constantly choose fear or faith (see Ps 112).  Sometimes we compromise because we fear losing something the world might give us more than the loss of what Christ offers.  Other times it’s because our hope is really in earthly rewards, rather than those we’ll enjoy for eternity.  Most of us fall victim to both of these temptations! One thing’s certain; we won’t make much of an impact on others if we fail to model Christian integrity.
Do you want to change the world for Christ through the marketplace?  Our character and conduct are prerequisites to enabling fruitful ministry.  What we do (i.e., how we make a living) is not as important as who we are (i.e., how we make a life) expressed through our integrity in Christ.  By extension, the character of our company results from translating shared values into action in a way that others can see.  This requires that we have the guts to do what’s right, even when others wouldn’t blame us for compromising.  Let’s be counted among the few that aren’t “posers” by leading others with genuine transparency and trust.  May our Lord enable us to have the guts to stand firm, speaking the truth in love, in a society that expects hypocrisy! 

Application:

Consider engaging your staff in a conversation regarding how well you and your firm operate with obvious Christian integrity in the way you currently serve stakeholders.  Ask them where your company’s approach to business might be causing offense or damaging your witness.  As issues are raised, challenge yourselves to develop remedies for each one, within the context of running a solid business while enabling your people to lead lives of integrity, so as to strengthen your firm’s fruitfulness for Christ.