Treasures New and Old

Christian Behavior: Integrity: Basic Understanding

– Romans 6:4

I would also remind you of the Seven Disciples’ Principles that we should remember and observe (as in guard, hold important). To review, look back at the first article of the Discipleship series.

Seven Principles Recap:

1. We must always strive to be like Him and understand that we can never be better than Him
2. Always remember that Christ is our Master – others may be teachers or counselors, or brethren, but He is our Master
3. The Master is coming back and will ask for an accounting
4. Hold fast to the truth, don’t stray, avoid the gray areas
5. Disciples serve one another – as our Master gave example
6. Stay in the Master’s Book
7. Be a vessel of honor

Where Do We Walk in Life?

You accepted Christ as your Savior. You repented of your sins. That means that with God’s help, you have turned away from the sinful life you were leading and are now attempting to walk in the light that God gives us. But it can be a real struggle. Sometimes, I really don’t know what I am doing, and, frankly, I don’t always feel different.

The problem is that feelings are deceptive and one of the worse ways to judge your relationship in Christ. God made a promise that He would save you if you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10).

Christians are just like every other humans: they want to feel good. We don’t like pain. We want to be loved. We want to succeed. We want friends, etc. But the Christian walk is not like the walk we have in the world because it is a spiritual walk, and Christians are members of a Heavenly kingdom that is called, in the Bible, both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. I will admit to you that, at times, it is hard to see ourselves walking in this spiritual kingdom – we seem to be so planted here on this physical earth.

This month, I would like to examine the concept of Christian integrity. Let’s start with a simple definition:

Integrity: Old Testament

The word integrity occurs sixteen times in the Old Testament – King James Version. Its definition is best captured in the following Hebrew word:

Integrity (tom, tumma): the translation of tom – “simplicity”, rendered also “upright”, and “perfection”: (Wordsearch’s Strong’s H8537). Its original sense appears in the word tamam (Strong’s H8552) and means “completeness; figurative prosperity usually (morally) innocence:- full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), at a venture” (Strong’s H8537). In 1 Kings 22:34 and 2 Chronicles 18:33 it is rendered in English “at a venture”: “A certain man drew a bow at a venture” which has an implied Hebrew meaning of “in his simplicity” (compare 2 Samuel 15:11: “in their simplicity”).

It is translated “integrity” in Genesis 20:5-6: “Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.”

This is referring to how Abimelech wanted Sarah for a wife and thought that she was Abraham’s sister. Let’s look at a few more verses using this Hebrew word and see how it is used:

• 1 Kings 9:4: “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:”

• Psalm 7:8: “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.”
  

• Psalm 25:21: “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.”
  

• Psalm 26:1: “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.”
  

• Psalm 26:11: “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.”
  

• Psalm 41:12: “And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face forever.”
  

• Psalm 78:72: “So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”
  

• Proverbs 19:1: “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
  

• Proverbs 20:7: “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
  

As we look at these verses, we glean words that help describe the integrity being mentioned. Some of those words are:

• Just man
• My righteousness
• Walk in God’s judgements
• Opposite of perverse
• Trusting God
• Guided by God’s skillful hands

We can conclude that integrity in the Bible has to do with man’s hearts, and mind, and intent; and that it carries with it a clear purpose to be upright and obedient to God’s Word – simple in its execution, and morally innocent, upright, truthful, and open before God’s eyes.

In the plural, it (tummim (Wordsearch Strong’s H8550)) is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest: Exodus 28:30 (bold added): “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD continually.” (See also Deuteronomy 33:8; Ezra 2:63; and Nehemiah 7:65). On the breastplate of the High Priest, it is one of the sacred lots resting on his breast when he carries out his duties with an implication that he is to do so in “innocence” or “integrity”. Another word translated “integrity” is tummah (Strong’s H8538), from tamam (Strong’s H8552), “to complete”, “be upright”, and “perfect”. Compare:

• Job 2:3: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

• Job 27:5-6: “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”
  

• Job 31:5-8: “If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.”
  

• Proverbs 11:3: “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
  

INTEGRITY: New Testament

The word “integrity” does not occur in the New Testament English King James Bible. Looking at the various words related to integrity such as uprightness, we find equivalents that may be seen in words such as “sincerity”, “truth”, the “pure heart”, the “single eye”, etc. In the sense of simplicity of intention, it is equivalent to being honest, sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to godly character in the believer.

In both the Old and New Testaments, integrity implies two things: intent and action. An intent to do right and honestly, and then the acts that manifest those intents.

Jesus, of course, is the perfect example of a man of integrity in His perfect fulfilling of the law. Consider:

• He was baptized
• He went into the wilderness to fast for forty days and nights
• When weak, Satan came to tempt Him, break His integrity, and corrupt Him with false worship of Satan (remember that Jesus was wholly man and wholly God, and, therefore, was tempted in every way that we are, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
• Observed Passover as required
• Honored the High Priest (even though he didn’t deserve it)
• Always spoke truth
• Always did that which God the Father told Him to do
• Never violated the Sabbath (although He was accused of doing so)
• And much more . . .

INTEGRITY: Our Christian Calling

We as Christians are called to be like Jesus. Because of the work of Christ on the cross, we are now new creations; and before God and the throne, we are without spot or blemish and have the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us:

• 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
  

• Ephesians 1:4-8: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;”

• Luke 11:13: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

• John 7:39: “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
  

• Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Lord Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
  

• Ephesians 1:13: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,”
  

• 1 Thessalonians 4:8: “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit”
  

We are also encouraged to strive to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

So we can safely conclude that it is by God’s power, and the work that He has begun in us that helps us to become people of integrity. We are called to obey God and, in so doing, to be people of uncompromised morality and integrity:

• 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
  

• Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
  

• 2 Thessalonians 2:17: “Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
  

• Hebrews 13:21: “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and every. Amen.”

To have integrity is to be morally upright, honest, and uncorrupted. What does this imply for the believer? Consider:

• We tell the truth even when it hurts
  
• We can’t be bribed or compromised
• We do not falsely accuse
• We fulfill our promises and vows
• We do not covet others’ successes
• We strive to serve God foremost
• We avoid compromising situations
• Our speech is “clean” (no gossip, halt-truths, swearing, etc.)
• We manage (control) our eyes (men!)
• And more . . .

Also consider and study these few verses:

• Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in that name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
  

• Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
  

• Acts 5:28-32:
  

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with you doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

• Matthew 5:37: “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay; nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

• James 5:12: “But above all things my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
  

• 1 John 3:17-19: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”
  

• James 2:17-18: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
  

• Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
  

• Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
  

It is simply not easy to live with integrity in a world where the corrupt and evil seem favored and prosper while everything seems a struggle for us. Then there is also our own sin nature that we have to deal with. 1 Peter 3:13-18 has some encouragement for us in this department:

• 1 Peter 3:13-18:
  

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, that just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

To live with integrity is to follow the example of Christ. We can only live with true integrity by His power which He graciously and freely gives to all who are His:

• John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
  

• Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
  

• Ephesians 1:13-14: “In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
  

INTEGRITY: Conclusion

Integrity is doing what is right and acceptable before God with God’s help. This is so because it is difficult to live in this world with total uprightness without having God’s power working in you.

“The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the transgressors shall destroy them.”

– Proverbs 11:3

Maranatha!

May God bless you all!

Bro. Joe

Strong, J. Strong’s Talking Greek_Hebrew Dictionary. Wordsearch. (2020). Wordsearch Bible. [computer software] . Nashville, TN: LifeWay Christian Resources. (Original work published 1890).

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

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