Walking in integrity

The Standard August 19, 2023

Some of us grew up in families and/or raised our children in homes where a few of the cardinal rules included telling the truth and being honest. There is something quite freeing about being as honest as possible. We don’t have to say aloud every truth, but at times we are called to speak up, even when it is uncomfortable. Being a person who carefully chooses words to say only what is true is liberating. There is no stress about trying to keep a story straight. There is also something refreshing about having family members and friends who can be trusted to be fair. With them, there is no second-guessing, because their integrity is a bedrock. It truly provides safety and security when one is able to count on an inner circle to do right.

There is an entirely different way of operating which too often presents itself in arenas like politics and business. Some of us hardly are aware of practices that too commonly go on with those trying to get ahead or to “pay to play.” We might be naïve about the prevalence of people scratching each other’s backs, and that’s okay. It makes for a happier worldview. The Book of Proverbs is full of good reminders regarding the positive consequences of being upright, honest and fair.

“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 10:2) “The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.” (Proverbs 10:7) “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9) “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.” (Proverbs 10:28-30)

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.” (Proverbs 11:1-6) “A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.” (Proverbs 11:18-19)

“Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.” (Proverbs 12: 2-3) “The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. (Proverbs 12: 5) “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”  (Proverbs 12: 20-22)