Integrity, Honestly.

Proverbs 2:6-8 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

Integrity is something that matters to me, a lot. I sometimes wonder if it matters in the same way to anyone else. It matters to me because I’ve encountered so many lies. I’ve experienced so many broken promises. I’ve known so many people who say one thing and then do another. I do not ever want to be one of those people, because I know how much hurt that causes. And that hurt compounds. The more lies you hear… the more unnecessary exaggerations… the more promises that are broken… the less you are inclined to trust… well, anyone.

That is a lonely way to live, and I know it firsthand. So, I don’t want to be the reason anyone else feels that way.

That said, walking with integrity is hard. Sometimes, it feels impossible. It is always tempting to sugar coat a hard truth in the hopes of making it go down more smoothly. It seems easier , to lie in order to save face. It seems somehow more impressive to make a promise, rather than just commit to do your best. It’s always a temptation to hide from anything that will lower your status in the eyes of someone else.

The irony is, the hiding always returns. It ultimately takes you lower than you would have been initially. Lies get uncovered, eventually. Masks fall off, disguises fall away, and the truth finds its way to the surface.

God promises to protect us when we walk in integrity. Even when we disappoint others, or when our reputations are tarnished, we are blessed. The consequences of our words and actions may cause us to stumble and fall. However, if we walk with integrity, we are blessed.

The Apostle James says in his Epistle, “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation (James 5:12).”

Say what you mean and mean what you say. It is a hard rule to follow. In the long-term, though, it is a path that is blessed – even if there is a price to pay in the short term.

I was once involved in a situation where my reputation was being attacked by people who were falsely accusing me of things I did not say or do. While I was struggling internally with the desire to fight back and defend myself, I overheard two of my church members talking about the situation. “Pastor Erik doesn’t lie,” one of them said, and I almost hit my knees in gratitude for the assurances that God had given to my people in that moment.

It wasn’t entirely true, of course. I have told lies and half-truths (which are also lies) in my life. I have failed to walk with integrity at all times. But where I have failed, I have always tried to make it right and admit my fault and apologize. And even where I have failed in that, I know I am forgiven.

If we let our “yes” be yes and our “no” be no, if we say what we mean and mean what we say, if we strive to walk with integrity, we will be blessed in our interactions with others. We have all been betrayed, and we have all betrayed others. But if we strive to walk with integrity, we can treat each other with more love, being honest even when it is hard, and rebuild trust in our relationships.

Lord, grant me to walk with integrity in all my dealings. Give me the strength and courage I need to say what I mean and mean what I say, but always with love and without fear. Grant us this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Amen.