How do you know if someone has integrity? If integrity has to do with being truthful and honest, doing what you say you will do, or not doing what you say you will not do – then who really is the judge of anyone’s integrity but their own?
I am the judge of my own integrity, just me and God who sees what I really am inside. But if I don’t believe that there is a God who can hear what I say, see everything I do, who knows my every thought/secret motive/proposed plan, and who will eventually judge me – then I can be tempted to lie and deceive, and very possibly get away with it with others, but not with God (whether I believe in God or not).
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy.” James 4:12
Can people have integrity without being a born-again Christian, or without even believing that God is real? Why would they fight and work so hard to keep their integrity when they don’t believe they will be judged at the end of their life on earth?
Lying, cheating, double standards, being your own judge so that you figure you are right in how YOU see things (that affect you = bias/partial), this has become common place and acceptable, and sadly, even rewarded in our nation.
“The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, but the faithless crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3
How do you know if YOU have integrity?
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him MUST believe that HE EXISTS and that HE REWARDS those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind (when tempted); who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. WHOEVER DOES THESE THINGS WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN.” Psalm 15:2-5
“Because of my integrity, You Lord, uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.” Psalm 41:12