Integrity Anyone?

The seven core Army Values comprise a unique acronym, as the Army loves acronyms. The values, you will discover, are not too different than the values that we possess as Christ-like leaders in the church.

L – loyalty

D – duty

R – respect

S – selfless service

H – honesty

I – integrity

P – professionalism

I spend a lot of time in devotion, and having discussion with my children.  One question I often have for them is: What is integrity?  They often answer, “Doing what is right when no one is watching.”  A great answer, right?  As Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”  I like the definition that my children give, doing what is right when no one is watching.  As leaders, we must strive to do what is right whether anyone is watching or not. Habakkuk 1:13 (NIV) “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”  We must be careful what we allow eyes to see.  We must be careful what we “click,” what we “watch,” what we “like” on the internet.  I like to call it #internetintegrity 

We must remember that we are in the world, not of the world.  We are not sent to be a friend of the world, but salt and light.  Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV) ¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Forget not who you are in Christ.  Forget not your values.  Walk in light, walk in integrity.  Sometimes we have but to go back to the basics, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”  Don’t allow your light to be put out by anyone in this world, neither should you hide it away.  It can be easy sometimes, to leave it hidden in the trunk of your car when you go off to work, or out with your friends.  But then, are you walking in integrity?  It’s easy to hang it on your coat rack, or put it in your closet when you get home.  Then, you can kick back and “relax” as you see fit in the comforts of your own home.  But then, are you living in integrity?  What does the world see when they look at you?  What do you see when you look in the mirror?