The Lost Art Of Integrity
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It seems like more and more people are using the word “integrity” these days and more often times than not they are referring to the lack of integrity. Whether we are talking about cheating in sports, pastors falling from grace, two-faced politicians, affairs, lying, cheating, stealing etc. it all boils down to The Lost Art Of Integrity. If an individual’s integrity is compromised and questionable, that individual becomes compromised and questionable.
We must learn to always do what’s right, even when what’s wrong is easier. We must learn to do what’s right, even when no one is looking. We must walk the integrity walk and not just talk the integrity talk. We must remember that people generally won’t question your integrity, if there is nothing about your integrity to question. We must embrace the truth that when no one else is watching or listening, God is always watching and listening.
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson
What do you think? Is this becoming a lost art?
6 Responses to “The Lost Art Of Integrity”
in?teg?ri?ty
–noun
1. Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. A sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship’s hull.
I always focus the second definition because it is more of what being a Christian is about. We are to be Christ-like and he was the only person who was “whole, entire and undiminished”. Honesty is just one part. So when being a “Christian” INTEGRITY is a lost art!
Character and Integrity are who you are when nobody else is around.
Integrity consists of values developed over a long period of time. A person can change these at any point. However, most don’t wake up after living an “integrity” filled life and say “I’m going to stab this person in the back” or “I’m going to cheat on my wife.” Craig described it best two weeks ago when he implied that it’s the daily decisions we’ve accumulated to this point that have gotten us to where we are today. Our daily decisions (habits) we make from this day forward will contribute and make up the person we will be in 30 days, 6 months or 5 years. If we start making better decisions today and build more credibility with ourselves, we can build credibility with others. Integrity is many times a reflection on how people feel about themselves or many call it “self-image.” You work on yourself daily and work with someone to help you hold yourself accountable it’s hard to wake up that next day saying “I’m going to be a terrible person to those around me.” Instead you think nothing of it because you’ve developed a successful habit that is hard to break and as you referred “nothing else matters.” It all comes down to good habits!
man this is so on pointand rue
I love that quote by Alan Simpson.
Character and Integrity are the things that take time to develop and involve great risk, personal risk, how many people would risk their job status, pay raise, political points or desk to do what’s right? Or Walk away from something that is wrong?
That kind of devout person has found who they really are, understand their purpose, know their call, likely know WHO has called them and LIVE in a way that reflects those things, therefore displaying integrity and character.