Question 1

What is integrity?

Accepted Answer

Job 2:3Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.Integrity is character and conduct in harmony with God and his Word.Psalm 15:1-5Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.Integrity means living a life consistent in belief and behavior, in words and deeds. Our integrity is reflected in how we relate to God and with other people.Proverbs 11:3, 5Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. . . . The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.Integrity means being honest in our relationships.Proverbs 16:11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.Luke 16:10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”2 Corinthians 4:2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.Integrity begins with small decisions and choices made when no one else is watching.

Question 2

Why is integrity important?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 29:17“I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.”Proverbs 12:22The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.Proverbs 21:3The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.Integrity is important because it pleases God.Psalm 15:1-5Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.Integrity is important because our character affects our ability to worship and to enjoy fellowship with God. Worship is more acceptable to God and more meaningful for us when we honor him in our daily thoughts and conduct.Proverbs 10:9People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.Proverbs 12:3Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.Integrity is important because it provides stability for our lives. Each step away from a life of integrity is a step closer to a slippery slope that will lead us into trouble.Psalm 18:20-25The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.Psalm 25:21May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.Proverbs 11:3Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.Proverbs 13:6Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.Isaiah 26:7For those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.Integrity is important because it allows us to have uninterrupted fellowship with God, helping us to live under his protection and guidance. Those who lack integrity are exposed to all kinds of sin and harm, often due to the disintegration of their character.Psalm 24:3-5Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.Proverbs 20:7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.Proverbs 28:20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.Isaiah 32:8Generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.Isaiah 56:1-2This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.”Integrity is important because God blesses us when we live with integrity and because future generations will benefit.

Question 3

How can I develop integrity?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 2:1-2, 5, 9My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. . . . Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. . . . Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.We can develop personal integrity by learning wisdom from God. The more we understand and obey what he says is just, right, and fair, the more we will develop integrity.Proverbs 1:3Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.Proverbs 16:11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.We can develop personal integrity by studying God’s Word to discover his standards for integrity.Numbers 13:30-33Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”Numbers 14:24“My servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.”Deuteronomy 1:35-36“When the Lord heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore, ‘Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the Lord completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission.’”Proverbs 11:3, 5Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. . . . The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.Luke 16:10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”2 Corinthians 4:2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.We develop personal integrity when we are honest in all our dealings with other people, even when we are in the minority. We must practice integrity daily.1 Timothy 1:5The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.2 Timothy 2:21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.Those who want to be used for godly purposes must commit themselves to a life of integrity.

Question 4

What tests my integrity?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 26:1-3Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.The ultimate test for our integrity comes from God because he examines our thoughts and actions.Exodus 18:21“Select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.”Deuteronomy 16:19“You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.”Luke 16:10-11“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”Our integrity is tested by our desire to get ahead and the temptation to keep what is not ours.Genesis 39:8-12Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 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.” 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. One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.Romans 12:21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.Hebrews 11:24-25It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.Living in our culture with its temptations, evils, and sinful pleasures will test our integrity. We are often torn between two loves, two worlds, and can be easily distracted from living with integrity by a society that doesn’t care much about truth and righteousness.

Question 5

What does integrity cost?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 17:26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.Proverbs 29:27The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly.Isaiah 59:14-15Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.Amos 5:10How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth!Our integrity may bring enemies who hate us for wanting to do what is right and for exposing what is wrong. This may lead to insults, ridicule, or even unjust punishment because of our integrity. The earthly cost of integrity, however, is worth the eternal reward.

Question 6

How does God enable me to seek integrity?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 2:1-2, 5, 9My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. . . . Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. . . . Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.God enables us to seek integrity by giving us the wisdom we need to live in a way that honors him. His Word gives us understanding, discernment, and motivation so that we choose his way of integrity.John 14:15-21“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. . . . Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”Galatians 5:16-25So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.God has given us the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Jesus. He works in our hearts, minds, and bodies to produce godly desires, attitudes, thoughts, and behavior. And he gives us the power necessary to do what he wants.

Question 7

How does God respond to my commitment to integrity?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 18:24-25The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.This psalm writer is not boasting in his accomplishments but thanking God for giving him the power and direction to live according to his ways. This passage represents the same promise for us. God will empower our obedience.1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.Our integrity may not bring immediate rewards, but one day it will be recognized and commended by God.

Question 8

What are the benefits of integrity?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 11:3, 5Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. . . . The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.Integrity keeps us from the traps of dishonesty and the destruction that can come as a result.Psalm 15:1-5Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.Our character affects our ability to worship and to enjoy fellowship with God. Worship is more acceptable to God and more meaningful when we honor the Lord in our daily thoughts and conduct.Psalm 24:3-5Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.Proverbs 20:7The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.Proverbs 28:20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.Isaiah 32:8Generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.Isaiah 56:1-2This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.”Not only does God bless us when we live with integrity, but future generations also will benefit.

Question 9

How do I demonstrate integrity in my life?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 6:4The other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.2 Corinthians 7:2Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone.Titus 2:7-8You yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.Integrity is evident in how we conduct ourselves and treat others. Our words and actions should be consistent and above reproach.Job 27:4-6“My lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies. I will never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die. I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.”Acts 23:1Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”Acts 24:16“I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.”1 Timothy 1:19Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.We maintain and display integrity by keeping our conscience clear before God and others, admitting when we are wrong and being open and honest.