“Why did I tell Breece that I’d help him move today? Man, I DO NOT feel like movin’ today! It’s rainin’! And Breece is goin’ from one upstairs apartment to another one! Upstairs again? Why can’t the brutha just live on the first floor? I think I’m gonna call and just tell him I can’t make it. I’m just not feelin’ it! He can find someone else, right? Breece is a popular dude. I’m sure he’s got a ton of fellas who’d want to help him. Yeah, I’m gonna bail—at least I think that’s what I’m gonna do.”

What would you do in this situation? Your answer says a ton about you. Are you someone who keeps a promise even when it’s painful? Can you be counted on in tough times? Or do you back out when things get inconvenient? Does your word mean anything? When no one is watching what do you do?

What we’re talking about is integrity, defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.” Let’s face it, integrity is in short supply today. So building your life with it will not only cause you to shine, but it’ll actually put a smile on God’s face.

 

What Is Integrity, Really?

Integrity is doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. It’s love, honesty, gratitude, faithfulness, honor, and strength all rolled up into the most important characteristic of life. It shows up, but never shows off. It’s selfless rather than selfish—always looking to the good of others first. It doesn’t waver. It’s undivided, confident, and sure.

Your integrity shows up in every decision you make. You either decide to do the right thing, or you choose to do the wrong thing. You stick with what you believe, or you compromise your beliefs and go another way. You follow they way you feel in the moment, or you stick with your word regardless of how you feel. The decisions are yours, and your integrity guides you to the right path through the process.

 

What Would You Do If…

You’re given extra change after checking out at a store. Do you keep it? Or do you keep it only if it’s under a dollar? (You’d spend more in gas to go back to the store!) Or do you return it no matter how small it is­—whether it’s worth the trip or not?

Someone wants to give you the answers to the big test—the one you totally didn’t study for. Do you take the answers and try to ace the test? Or do you take them, but promise yourself it’s just this one time, and you’ll study in the future? Or do you refuse to take the answers and deal with whatever grade you get?

Life will give us hundreds of opportunities like these to do wrong things in a given day. But we can choose a different path. We can decide to walk in integrity and do the right thing every time.

 

In my novel  Exactly How It’s `Posed to Be, three college freshmen at Winton College are presented with temptation and face tests of their integrity throughout the book:

“Do I hit the streets or get that studyin’ done?”

“Do I step to the hella-fine shawty that just walked by, or do I follow the, ‘Stay away from that one’ gut-check I’m gettin’?”

“Do I smash every girl who pays attention, or do I chill and wait for the one God has for me?” 

Now that they’re away from the prying eyes of their parents, which paths will the young men choose? Ultimately their integrity—or the lack of it—leads each of them to different destinations. Will they be happy with where they end up? (You’ll have to read or listen to the book to find out!)

 

God Is Watching

Whether you realize it or not, God sees everything. He sees whether you returned the change or not. He sees whether you took the answers to the test or not. Integrity is living with the understanding that God is watching everything you do. When faced with a decision, ask yourself, “Would God be pleased with this choice…or not?” If you do what pleases God, you’ll always be walking with integrity.

 

If Integrity Was Easy, Everyone Would Do It

Integrity is not always popular. It can be uncomfortable and even awkward sometimes. Friends might clown you, and shortcuts almost always look easier. But remember, shortcuts create cracks in your character, while integrity builds a solid foundation of trust and a good name. It’s definitely the long game, but it’s totally worth it.

Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Think of integrity like walking on firm, solid ground, while a life lacking it is like walking on thin ice. Sooner or later, the ice breaks.

Integrity Causes You To Shine

Integrity is noticed. Employers, customers, and even that relationship you’ve been seeking—they want people they can count on. Want to shine? Be the person who keeps their word and shows up, even when it’s hard.

Joseph from the Bible is a great example. He remained excellent and continued to shine although he’d been falsely accused and thrown in prison. That integrity eventually lifted to him to second in command of Egypt. His story is proof that integrity pays off in the long run.

       

Practical Tips to Build Integrity

Set Your Standard…And Keep It - Decide in advance what kind of person you will be. Better yet, what kind of Christian will you be? What does the Bible say about how you should act? What do you want God to see as the fruit of your life? Write it down as your personal code of conduct. 

Example: “The Bible says in several places DO NOT LIE. So I will not lie, even if it’s easier,” or “The Word of God says to do to others what I want them to do to me. So I will treat others with kindness and respect, even when they don’t deserve it.”

 

Be Honest with Yourself - Integrity starts with self-awareness. Regularly reflect on your actions and motives. Are they aligned with the Word and how you want to represent God?

Tip: Keep a journal where you evaluate your decisions and regularly ask yourself, “Did I honor God in this?”

 

Practice Integrity Even In Small Things - Build the habit of doing what’s right in everyday situations. For example, if I see trash in the parking lot at school, I’ll pick it up. Or if someone tells me not to say anything about what they just told me, I won’t tell it.

Reminder: Small acts of integrity prep you for the bigger tests later.

 

Choose Wise Role Models For Accountability – Watch for people who demonstrate true integrity. Study their habits and decisions. Connect with them ask if they’d be willing to hold you accountable to be a man/woman of integrity. They’ll help keep you on track.

Tip: Consider joining a Bible study or accountability group to grow spiritually and morally.

 

Think Long-Term, Not Short-Term - Before making a decision, ask yourself, “How will this choice affect me in the long run? Will I be proud of this later?”

Tip: If it’s not something you’d want to see in your news feed tomorrow, don’t do it!

 

Pray for Integrity - Ask God to help you stand firm in your convictions and give you the courage to always do what’s right. “Lord, help me honor You in my decisions, even when no one is watching.”

Reminder: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God will be more than happy to help you do the right thing and represent Him with integrity.

 

Avoid Purposely Putting Yourself In Integrity Challenging Situations - If certain environments or people make it harder to do what’s right, it’s best to steer clear. There’s enough happening to you naturally on a daily basis. Don’t purposely put yourself in situations where you could fall. 

Example: If you’re tempted to gossip in a certain friend group, you could change the subject, or you could step away, or you could get extra militant and get yourself a whole new group of friends.

 

Your Legacy Starts Now

Today’s integrity will create the man or woman you’ll become in the future. So, here’s your challenge: Pick one area of your life to focus on building integrity in this week. Whether it’s being honest, keeping your promises, or avoiding shortcuts, start small and stay consistent. Integrity is never going to be the easiest road, but it’ll always be one that pleases God.