Integrity
What is Integrity? –Integrity is the highest level of our character, for character is of the heart. At the centre of our heart is who we truly are. Integrity is the heart of character, and character is the heart of leadership. It is our truest self. Therefore integrity is when we connect with our soul and spirit. In our human form, it is an alignment of what we think, feel and do. It is living our truth. Proverbs 22:1 says that a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Principle I
“The heart is where integrity resides, it is born there and there it dies”.
The greatest crisis in leadership today is an integrity crisis! Whether in secular activities or in the church-there is a growing integrity crisis at every level of leadership. As a result, people in both the world and the church have lost confidence in their leaders. Too many secular and spiritual leaders have been guilty of moral and monetary transgressions. Abuse of power and position have become rampant! There is a growing tolerance between private morality and public performance. The size of that gap is the size of the integrity crisis.
Principle II
“Character is what you are in the dark”
The German writer and theologian, Gunter Krallman, defined integrity this way:
“Integrity is oneness of inner and outer life, congruence between inward disposition and outward action. To its main components belong purity, truthfulness and consistency”.
A true test of integrity is what we are and do when nobody sees us. So integrity is consistency-oneness- between who you are privately and who you are publicly.
By Krallman’s definition then, both the secular world and the spiritual world are filled with leaders who lack integrity! Too many in our world have bought into the tragic lie that private immorality does not affect public morality! A person may still be able to temporarily maintain some public leadership effectiveness before men without moral integrity-but not before God.
Principle III
“Your reputation is what people say about you. Your character is what God know about you”
In God’s eyes, the heart of man is the heart of the issue. The story of King David in the old Testament clearly demonstrates that truth. David thought that his “secret adultery” with Bathsheba was hidden from his subjects- but God exposed it to his whole kingdom! Finally David cried out in repentance: Surely you desire truth in the innermost being...Ps 51:6
Principle IV
“The heart of man is always the heart of the issue”.
David learned that he could not separate his “inner man” from his “outer man”. Who he was secretly in hidden recesses of his innermost being- ultimately manifested itself in his outward behaviour. It became the most costly lesson of his life-but through it he learned that no leader can long separate private immorality from public morality.
There is no leadership issue more crucial to God than the matter of integrity. Simply put, integrity is the very heart of character. Over and over again the Bible highlights the issue of private and public integrity. Prayerfully consider the following verses if you want to be a man or woman of integrity:
1.Till I die, I will not deny my integrity!......(Job 27:5).
4.It was said of David: “And he shepherded the people with integrity of heart, and guided them with a skilful hand”....(Psalm 78:72).
5. God promised Solomon: “If you will walk before Me in the integrity of your heart...I will establish your throne”....(1 Kings 9:4).
6. Nehemiah said of Hananiah: “I put him in charge of Jerusalem because he was a man of integrity who feared God”...( Neh 7:2). God entrusted him with the whole city of Jerusalem! Can God trust you like that?
7.Even the enemies of Jesus affirmed His integrity: “We know You are a man of integrity and that You teach the word of God in truth, and You are not partial to anyone”...(Matthew 22:16).Can your enemies say that of you?
8.Integrity was of paramount importance to Paul, who wrote : “We are taking pains to do what is right (integrity), not only in the sight of God, but also in the eyes of men”.....(2 cor 8:21).That is integrity of lifestyle and ministry!
9.As Paul mentored young pastors like Titus, he exhorted them to set the example of integrity: “In your teaching show integrity ”....(Titus 2:7). He was telling Titus to practice what you preach. Don’t preach it-if you don’t practise it!
10.Proverbs promises: “ The man of integrity walks securely... ”(Proverbs 10:9).It is also true that the minister of integrity walks securely.
11.Ultimately only people of integrity will eternally dwell with God. “Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill?”asked King David. “He who walks with integrity... ” (Psalm 15:1-5).
Principle V
“Integrity is the heart of character, and character is the heart of leadership. To lose your integrity is to lose your leadership”.
We can only be leaders of integrity when we walk by the Spirit and the word within the accountable relationships of the Body of Christ.
Insights on integrity :
1. Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it. Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise… (John C. Maxwell, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, 1999, p. 3.)
2. There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity… (Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1989, p. 185.)
3. Steven Berglas, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of The Success Syndrome, says that people who achieve great heights but lack the bedrock character to sustain them through the stress are headed for disaster. He believes that they are destined for one or more of the four A’s: arrogance, painful feelings of aloneness, destructive adventure-seeking, or adultery. Each is a terrible price to pay for weak character… (John C. Maxwell, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, 1999, p. 5.)
4. One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present. When you defend those who are absent, you retain the trust of those present… (Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1989, p. 196.)
5. Gentlemen, try not to become men of success. Rather, become men of value. (Albert Einstein).
6. Live so the preacher can tell all the truth at your funeral. (John Maxwell)
7. Integrity is the storehouse of wealth. Your giftings may bring success, but integrity is where you store it. Lose your integrity and before long you will lose whatever wealth and success you may have achieved. (Unknown)
