Integrity is not selective ∙

Integrity is not selective ∙

Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. – Proverbs 11:3

Genesis 39:5-10

 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing– except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

 9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

 10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

People with integrity behave in a contrary fashion to most others. They are consistent, stable, and unswerving. Their actions match their words. Many make excellent role models. When things need to be done, they show up, take initiative and responsibility, and do what needs to be done.

5 Things People with Integrity Do Differently

(excerpted from https://www.powerofpositivity.com/)

1. They do what they say they will do.

Have you ever failed to come through for someone to whom you promised? People with integrity inspire us because they are consistent with their word, which is their bond. They act differently by committing to keep promises that they have given.

2. They stand up for what is right.

They have an innate sense of right and wrong and seek to balance the scales of justice. When someone with power is abusing their power, people with integrity are there to defend the powerless. Abuse of power is an injustice. People with integrity see others being treated as “less than” and come to their defense.

3. They look in the mirror and commit to positive change.

Part of a healthy level of self-evaluation is looking at whether or not we hold ourselves accountable to the same standards that we hold others to. None of us is perfect. People with integrity acknowledge their flaws; they seek to improve themselves in the areas that need changing.

4. They take ownership for solving problems, even when the fault lies elsewhere.

People with integrity are different in that they assume the role of leader when no one else will. Maybe it wasn’t your fault that someone left trash in the hallway, but people with integrity see that there is a problem and take ownership of it anyway.

5. They act sooner rather than later.

People with integrity do not wait to act. They are the ones who jump first and come to the aid of others as often as possible.

Integrity is all about doing the right thing consistently. It is about being reliable, dependable, and unswerving. Integrity is the quality of honesty and strong moral principles, and uprightness. It is a personal choice to hold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards.

Some would claim that they have integrity and transparency. But those who make such claims often practice it only when it suits them. Real integrity is consistent, not selective.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not use the word “integrity.” But His teachings are replete with the concept of integrity: purity of heart (Matthew 5:8), singleness of purpose (Matthew 6:22), and purity of motive (Matthew 6:1-6).

REFLECT & PRAY

Some character traits and virtues require that we be “all in.” Integrity is one such attribute. Wishful integrity is selective; genuine integrity is unswerving, not selective.

We cannot choose to have integrity whenever it is convenient, or we simply want to have it is not picking that up now use.

Father I understand what genuine integrity is, and I aspire to it. Encourage and enable me to be consistent.

INSIGHT

Proverbs 12:27 The precious possession of a man is diligence.

Joseph was a man of integrity. Joseph was intelligent, competent, and well-regarded. He consistently trusted the Father and made the best of his circumstances, whether good or bad. His character and abilities brought him opportunities.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

But the very same qualities also brought temptation into his life.

Genesis 39:7 Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

Joseph’s integrity is evidenced in his response.

Genesis 39:8-9

 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

 9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

Joseph’s consistent integrity is evidenced because Potiphar’s wife put pressure on him to sleep with her daily. He never wavered, and he never broke down. His integrity was not selective.

Joseph demonstrated courage and determination in living out his integrity. Because of his loyalty and devotion to the Father, he would not capitulate. He recognized that yielding would be a great sin against the Father.

Wishful integrity had matured into genuine integrity. His self-control became a steppingstone to future leadership and the fulfillment of the dreams of his youth.

The time you spend alone with the Father will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord (Charles Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2022