Proverbs 11:3. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Integrity is a word that means whole or complete. A person with integrity is not fake. They don’t act one way in one place and then a different way somewhere else. They don’t sound different depending on where they happen to be. The person with integrity is the same no matter where they are.
Are you passive on Sundays and then aggressive the rest of the week? Do you act one way with a group of people and then a completely different way with other folks? Are you a different person online than you are in person? Are you working hard to present an image to others that covers up who you really are?
Such crookedness, or duplicity, will destroy us the proverb says. Eventually people will figure out just how fake we are, and move away from us relationally.
Solomon says that the upright person is guided by integrity. By consistency of character. So does our integrity make us upright, or does our uprightness bring us integrity? In Christ, we know it is the latter.
In Christ, we are made upright (righteous) by faith alone in Jesus alone. When we trust in him he gives us his own righteousness. Now God sees us the same way he sees Jesus – as perfect, true, whole. And when we know that God sees us this way we can begin to live in true integrity. True consistency of character. Complete wholeness, where our words, deeds, and attitudes align. Paul will call this integrity the fullness of God.
Colossians 2:9-10. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him.
Understanding your fullness is everything in the Christian life. Christian, you have been filled in him. Consider the enormity of this promise. Just how life-changing this is. No more emptiness. No more feeling incomplete. No more wondering who or whose we are. No more chasing after every false god and temporary high to feel something, even if just for a moment. No more aimless floating through life. By the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have everything we will ever need to live this life of integrity.
In him, we have received the righteousness of Christ, and are filled with the very character of Christ. His integrity is now ours! We no longer have to behave differently depending on where we are or who we are with. The only thing that matters is the unchanging way that God sees us and our faith to believe this life altering truth.
Do you believe it?
You: Where do you lack integrity?
You in Christ: How can trusting that you have the righteousness of Christ allow you to live a life of integrity without feeling like you have to fake it around others.
Christ in you: Is there a specific mask that you are wearing that Christ wants you to remove today and be honest with someone?
Pray: Father, you have given me the righteousness of Jesus and the character of Jesus. What a great gift. Help me to live in his fullness, in real authenticity before you. Amen.
To Live is Christ 