Integrity

Integrity is one of those virtues that once you lose it, it is almost impossible to get back. The only reason I say "almost impossible" is because I believe God can change people's hearts in drastic ways. Proverbs 10:9 says "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."

People of integrity can "walk securely" because they have nothing to hide. They have no conscious fear of negative consequences due to immoral or unwise actions. And even if there is immoral or unwise behavior, the person of integrity accepts the consequences knowing full well that it is the result of their actions.

A person of integrity strives to be honest, just and respectful, even if that means being uncomfortable and/or inconvenienced. Integrity is not a gift that we're given, rather, its a virtue created by the life we live. Its created by making wise lifelong decisions that are based on having the best interest of others in mind. For a Christian integrity should be assumed. Its sad and unfortunate that Christians do not have the reputation of being men and women of integrity. In fact, "normal" people (meaning people who don't call themselves Christians) view Christians as hypocritical, judgmental, homophobic, sheltered and agenda driven (for more on this, buy this book).

Those accusations are all too often accurate, which means more than ever Christians need to step up and live lives of integrity. Its not always easy to keep our integrity, but its worth whatever the cost.