LOVE IS INTEGRIOUS
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Photo source: istockphoto |
Unfortunately
right from our beds in the morning, nearly all what we encounter in the day are
things that will lure us away from integrity – news on the various media
platforms, opinions from friends and co-workers.
When we consider a person to be of moral excellence, we generally consider them people of great character made up of virtues we admire and strive to aquire – extremely honest, exercising fairness and respect for others, can be trusted in confidence and are extremely reliable in any circumstance. They are said to possess one of the most important virtues of all, Integrity.
The True Nature of Integrity
Most of us have two natures. We tend to live a double-standard life: life in the public – when everyone is watching; and life in the private – when we are in the dark and alone.
Integrity
is revealed by what we do in the secret – when no one is watching. It comes
from the mathematical term “Integer” – a number not divided into fractions, a
whole number.
To be integrious is to live a life that is not divided
against itself – being whole and complete – firmly adhering to strong moral
principles, and consciously and consistently applying them to model your values
daily. These values then become habits enriched through the virtue of love,
which
are the very essences that make up the content of good character.
Trust Is Essential; Honesty Is the Best Policy!
Without
doubt, trust is essential in every aspect of our lives. How would this world be
without being able to trust anybody? How could we live with our partners if we
cannot trust them? Trust is the foundation on which we build our lives and
relationships. When trust is removed or broken, then it is like a road with its
‘bridge out.’ It has to be repaired or else disaster occurs.
There
is nothing more important, and few things more difficult, than to be honest and
really love the truth. Honesty in people means you can predict their actions. When
you encounter it in people, you know you can trust them.
Honesty
pays; even in politics. It is difficult to “control” people who love the truth.
People are drawn to them; even those who are not truthful. When you stick to
the truth, you don’t have to remember so much.
On
the other hand, people who tell lies have never been free, especially of their
conscience.
There
is a story of a lady who visited the butcher to buy chicken. She requested of a
larger size when she felt the one drawn from the case was small. However, that
was the only chicken the butcher had at that time. Instead of telling the lady
the truth, he took the chicken and reached into his case again, bumbled for a
while, and brought out the same chicken; this time round, adding his thumb while
he put it on the scale for a new weight and price.
The
lady realizing it, said, “In fact, that’s good. I’ll buy both of them.”
Someone
rightly said, “When we lose wealth, it hurts. When we lose health, we’ve lost a
lot. But when we lose character, all is gone.”
Leadership and Integrity
It
is so disheartening the level of corrupt leadership we have these days. There’s
moral rot everywhere in government. The Bible says “A just king (leader) gives
stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it” (Prov.28:2).
Can
the current generation have leaders of integrity like Samuel demonstrated as a leader
of the Israelites?
Rendering
account of his leadership, he asked the people of Israel pertinent questions
regarding his integrity and reputation; and no one could accuse him of any
wrong. “No,” they replied, “You have
never cheated or oppressed us in any way, and you have never taken even a
single bribe” (1Sam.12:1-5).
Jesus’ Teachings: Hypocrisy Is the Exact Opposite of Integrity
The
strongest words of Jesus, arguably, were addressed to those whom He called
“hypocrites”, because of the duplicity of their hearts.
He
could not bear the sight of people who said one thing and did another; their
lives not corresponding to the things they say.
Hypocrisy
is to say and do not do! It is to teach and not practice – to preach virtues,
and practice vices. It is like putting on a mask on your face – hiding your real
identity.
About
seven times in Matthew chapter 23, Jesus calls the Pharisees and scribes
“hypocrites.” He also uses other choice words – “blind guides”, “blind fools”,
“serpents”, and “brood of vipers” which give an idea of what He taught of an
insincere, dishonest heart – a heart lacking integrity.
A Test of Integrity
I
was deeply moved by an announcement made on a Kumasi-based radio station whiles
on my way to Koforidua on September 04, 2015, about a porter, popularly called “Kayaye” who had gone to the said radio
station to make an announcement about a woman she missed in the thick traffic
while carrying her luggage. This is someone who “is in need”, and could have
gone with this luggage, but she decided to find the owner.
What
happens when you buy something and you are given more change than you are
supposed to collect? Or when the teller at the bank gives you more than you
have withdrawn? What would you do if your boss at work asked you to falsify
documents, and your reward will be a promotion, or you see a co-worker stealing
from the company? Have you watched the movie, Courageous? Go get it and watch!
Integrity: The Best Legacy for Posterity
If
there is one virtue we have to teach and ingrain in our children, and
articulate the importance of adhering to it, then it is integrity – the desire
to live an honest life.
The
Bible admonishes us in Proverbs 22:6, “Teach your children to choose the right
path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” And we teach it well
by showing examples. Someone said it right, “The best way to train your child
is to go that way yourself.”
What
lessons do we teach our children when we ask them to answer the door or the
phone by saying that “we are not at home?”
The
godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.
REFRENCE
- Habits of a Loving Heart by Willard Tate
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