Influence with Integrity

In today’s world of sports, it seems that anything done for an advantage is fair game—as long as you don’t get caught.

As a Major League pitcher, I have seen it all. Managers who spend their entire careers stealing the signs of other coaches from the dugouts and down the baselines. Players who reach base do the same thing. Pitchers are supposed to throw a clean, unscratched ball, but you can do some pretty cool things with a scuffed baseball.

As Christians, however, we are held to a higher standard. Our goal should be to live a life that’s pleasing to God and that allows us to have influence on those around us. People seem to gravitate toward those who do things the right way. And on the other hand, if you’re not living with integrity, your influence will quickly be torn down. If you’re not trusted, then your relationships will have little eternal significance.

In the book of Daniel, we read about a young man who lived with great integrity. When he was given the chance to turn his back on God’s commands, Daniel stood strong and gained influence over an entire kingdom. And, of course, there has been no greater example of integrity than Jesus Christ. He was who He says He was, and He lived a sinless life despite many opportunities to succumb to temptation.

Living with integrity in this day and age isn’t easy. You might say it’s harder than ever before. But with God’s Word and the Holy Spirit guiding your steps, it is possible to be the person of integrity that He created you to be.