Integrity is something that is lacking throughout our society today and its affects are evident. This is a virtue that has truly been forgotten. We believe that it is alright to lie, cheat and steal and that there are no consequences for our actions. We have this greedy mentality that says that we are owed something that we are not. Our youth has gotten this entitlement mentality that believes that they deserve what everyone else has without putting in the energy or the time to earn it. Integrity is something that is taught into a person, our sinful nature is selfish and wants everything now. In our instant gratification society with all of the advances of technology it is just getting worse.

Because of the split in the family unit and family values being throw out the door, we have people doing what is right in their own eyes. The fathers with integrity are few and far between and the women are worn out from trying to play two roles at home as the father and the mother. This leaves the children without the much needed family interaction of love, time, and good values being taught to the children when they are the most perceptive for it. When the parents do not have integrity, it is especially hard for the child to understand, because they want to be like mom and dad and a lot of the times they just follow their footsteps. Now some children get understanding and do just the opposite because they have figured out that they do not want to be like their parents who do not have such values as integrity. They see all of the dismay around their parents from the lack of integrity and they do not want all of the drama.

I want to point out some of the benefits to having integrity in the Scriptures. Number one God protects those who walk with integrity. It says in Proverbs 2:21, that those who have integrity will remain in the land, that is a promise from God. It says that those with integrity have firm footing, that means that they do not slip easily or fall down often. It says that the LORD is pleased with those who have integrity, and as you will see this integrity can save your life according to the story given in Genesis. I hope that the LORD will give you integrity and if you have it already, that the LORD will strengthen you in it and bless you for it!!! May the LORD Bless You and keep you from the Evil One and his ploys to ensnare you and to entangle you where you compromise your integrity, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Integrity: the quality of being honest and trustworthy; honesty or uprightness

Proverbs 2:6-7

For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.

Proverbs 2:20-22

Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those who have integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be destroyed.

Proverbs 10:9

People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

Proverbs 10:29

The LORD protects the upright but destroys the wicked.

Proverbs 11:20

The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity.

Genesis 20:1-13

And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? “Did he not say to me, She is my sister? And she, even she herself said, He is my brother.” In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.” Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?” And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. “But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. “And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, “This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”