Integrity

In the Old Testament much of the teaching handed to Moses sought to establish a society where people acted honestly and with integrity. Oaths were given to be kept and failure to keep oaths was a sin against God. By the time of Jesus the religious leaders had built upon this a complex set of rules and qualifications which enabled those who had given and oath to walk away without punishment.

Jesus on his teaching on the Mount (Matt 5) sought to re-establish the principles of truth, honesty and integrity. When he said that we should not swear he meant that we should not need to swear – people around us should come to know that we do what we say we will. Jesus tells his disciples to tell the truth.

As Christians we are called to be different, and in particular we are called to act with integrity. This can impact in many ways but put simply we should seek to follow the law and act in good character. It is easy when someone offers to do a job for less if we can not put things through the books (to avoid paying VAT) to accept, but if we do we are legitimizing what they have suggested.

However acting with integrity is a very high standard, it means we do not just do things because everyone else does, whether borrowing things from work, or making personal calls from the office right through to copying music, games and even breaking the speed limit. This is very much a path we should seek to tread, we will need help and we will make mistakes, but with Christ’s help we must try to be honest, truthful and upright.


If you have an example to share that may help and encourage others, please do respond with a comment.