Integrity: strengthening your core
Communicating publicly, whether through speaking or writing, is a skill to learn and develop. Instruction, practise, coaching – they will all help in that development. But for any influencer, it is not just skill that is important.
Authenticity, sincerity, integrity are equally important. It was said of King David that he led his people “with integrity of heart and with skilful hands” (Ps 78:72). In PfE we want to develop in both.
What is integrity?
The root of the word has the meaning ‘intact’, ‘whole’. A person of integrity is not divided. All areas of their life are united and consistent. The inner life and the outer life match. What they think, what they say and what they do all fall in line to please the Lord.
To have integrity does not imply faultlessness, but rather that we hold ourselves accountable, own up to our shortcomings and respond appropriately to them.
I find it helpful to think of integrity having three facets:
• Moral integrity: doing what is right and just towards all people (another description of David in 2Sam 8:15). 1John 2:16 speaks of “the cravings of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” being the drivers of the world. This touches on issues of truth, use of power, promotion of self. We don’t preach ourselves or ‘peddle the gospel for profit’.
• Vocational integrity: persevering in that which God has equipped and called us to. Not dropping the baton, not giving up when it’s tough. Remaining loyal and faithful to that which God has entrusted us to do. We may not have thought of this as integrity. It is humbly sticking to public proclamation of the gospel when others oppose us. It’s about holding primarily to our sense of accountability to God, even if others, maybe including those we respect, question the validity of what we do. It’s the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30); its daring to tell the gospel despite strong opposition, insults, even suffering (1Thess 2:1-2)
• Relational integrity: being devoted to God and sacrificially loving others, even our enemies. Jesus said that love for God and love for others sum up all that God asks of us (Matt 22:37-40). The apostle John made it clear that they are inextricably bound together (1John 4:20-21). Living with integrity means keeping that bond intact.
Why is integrity important?
Although we tend to notice and be impressed by outward appearances and clever words, God sees and examines our hearts (1Sam 16:7). Integrity pleases him (1Chron 29:17). And integrity blesses us: it brings security (Prov 10:9) and joy (Ps 119:1). To be integrated in Christ frees us from both an over-inflated and a diminished view of ourselves. It frees us to be the person God created us to be.
How does our integrity relate to our public communication?
When I speak or write publicly, is what I project outwardly consistent with who I am inwardly? Is my public face at one with my private face? It’s not that I need to publicly share all my sins, insecurities and inadequacies. That would be neither wise nor helpful! But rather that the messenger is one with the message.
It may be helpful to ask ourselves some questions as we consider each facet. Here are some to start with:
Moral integrity:
o Am I implying fact when I have no evidence?
o Am I distorting truth to advantage my point?
o Am I projecting an image of myself in order to get approval?
o Am I using the gospel in order to gain some ‘profit’ for myself?
o Am I promoting myself? Or am I pointing to something or someone else? God?
Vocational integrity:
o Am I using the gifts and skills God has entrusted to me? Is fear stopping me? o Am I willing to risk failure, criticism, rejection from others because I write or speak about the gospel?
o What will help me withstand criticism from strangers? From friends? From the church?
o Would I still write this if I got no feedback at all? Relational integrity
o How does my writing honour God by reflecting something of his character? o Do my words have an appearance of godliness but actually come from a spirit of pride, slander or seeking to diminish another?
o Am I sharing something of myself in order to receive something back (sympathy, admiration), or am expressing something that gives a voice for those otherwise unheard?
o As I express my opinion, does it make a positive contribution to a discussion, or is it negative?
o Am I willing to turn the other cheek if I get a negative response? That may not exclude robust discussion, deleting or even blocking, but it would not include retaliation, or venting anger or bitterness.
How do we grow in integrity?
Integrity grows in conditions where we don’t need to worry about our image and don’t feel the need to be bolstered in our sense of self by the views of others. Developing integrity is closely linked with a healthy self-awareness and self-appraisal. As we have a deeper sense of our identity in Christ, we don’t need affirmation from others to give us our identity and value. Being ‘in Christ’ is a multi-faceted gem! The New Testament refers to many titles and descriptions to explain this amazing new identity. Exploring each title and considering the implications of each is a great way to strengthen our ‘self-identity health’.
Our life in Christ is never static. There is always more to learn and develop in. A secure sense of ‘self-in-Christ’ frees us for life-long learning, enables us to be open to the thoughts of others, because we don’t fear failure or inadequacy. Knowing that I am not yet who I will be means I don’t expect perfection from myself now and am free to learn, to change. Knowing that I am not who I once was because God’s grace has had effect in my life gives me a dignity that nurtures a healthy confidence and resilience.
So God’s word enables us to grow in integrity both at the level of knowing what is the right thing to do, and also in strengthening our identity in Christ. So as we grow in skills of writing and speaking publicly, let’s also spur each other on to grow in integrity. May we be women who display both integrity and skill for the sake of God’s glory.
For reflection and discussion:
o Is there anything new or fresh for you about what integrity is and why it is important?
o As you prepare to write or speak about Christ publicly, can you identify issues of integrity that are particularly relevant for you?
o What will you do whilst in ‘the Greenhouse’ to nurture your own integrity