Integrity

Would you say you are a person of integrity? Would others say you are a person of integrity? Would God say you are a person of integrity? I think if we are all honest with ourselves, and our Lord, we’d admit to having lapses in the area of integrity.

I once heard Bobby Jones, a former Philadelphia 76er, share a story of integrity. During a game, the ball bounced out of bounds while the referee was blocked from seeing if Jones had touched it or not. Jones had such a reputation for being honest that the referee asked him if he touched the ball.  When Bobby replied “No,” the referee signaled Philadelphia ball. Several days later, a similar situation occurred near the Sixers’ bench. The referee didn’t have a clear visual of the ball going out and turned to Bobby to ask if he touched it, to which he honestly answered, “Yes, I did.” The ball was awarded to the opposing team. Immediately his coach shouted, “Let the referees call the game.” Bobby simply replied, “I can’t compromise my integrity over one call.”

There is a sense of peace in our lives when we choose to live a life of integrity. Proverbs 28:18 reminds us that God helps those who act with integrity and that a door of destruction awaits for those who compromise. We are all challenged daily, sometimes hourly, to honor the Lord and make the right decisions. I pray that Christ provides us all with the supernatural power to stand firm when tested and do what is right.