What does the Bible say about integrity?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible presents integrity as a whole-life commitment to truth, righteousness, and faithfulness. More than simply avoiding lies, it is living so that words and actions match convictions (Proverbs 10:9). God’s people are called to be blameless, to speak truth from the heart, and to act justly in all situations (Psalm 15:1–2; Micah 6:8). Integrity is rooted in God’s own character. He is perfectly faithful and true, and His people are to reflect that nature in their dealings with others (Deuteronomy 32:4). Integrity flows from a transformed heart. Jesus condemned hypocrisy and taught that inner purity matters as much as outward obedience (Matthew 23:25–28). Paul urged believers to live honorably before God and man, doing what is right even when no one was looking (2 Corinthians 8:21; Philippians 4:8–9). Integrity is being trustworthy, honoring God’s name while protecting oneself from the damage of sin. Ultimately, living with integrity is an act of obedience and worship, demonstrating that our lives belong wholly to Him (Romans 12:1–2).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Integrity is first seen in the call for God’s people to walk blamelessly before Him. In giving him the covenant, God told Abraham to “walk before me, and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). That is, God linked integrity with covenant faithfulness. The law reinforced this by requiring honesty in business, justice in judgment, and fairness in all dealings (Leviticus 19:35–36; Deuteronomy 25:13–16).
• Scripture often contrasts the secure path of the one who walks in integrity with the ruin of the dishonest person. For example, Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
• Similarly, Job’s steadfastness in holding to the truth, even in suffering, shows that one who has integrity will not abandon it when things get difficult. Replying to Bildad who expressed the view that men cannot be righteous, Job said, “Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me” (Job 27:5).
• In another example David, speaking about who can dwell with God, said that the one who dwells with God is one who “who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15:2–5). Having integrity means living a life that pleases God because it reflects His own truthfulness and justice.
• Not only does integrity please God, but God preserves those who have it. David noted that, despite being surrounded by enemies, “you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever (Psalm 41:12). This shouldn’t mainly be interpreted as physical protection; many who live in integrity die because of it. But it means that if we live in God’s will—i.e., with integrity—our relationship with Him is secure, set “in . . .[His] presence forever” (Psalm 41:12).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament teaches that integrity begins with an undivided heart before God. Jesus exposed the Pharisees for appearing righteous outwardly while harboring corruption within (Matthew 23:25–28), showing that they had no integrity.
• This refers to a truthfulness that comes from within. Jesus warned against practicing righteousness to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1–4), calling His followers to live consistently before God whether or not anyone else is watching. For the believer, integrity flows from a genuine devotion to God that defines everything we do.
• Paul exemplified this. His ministry was marked by honesty, as he sought to “renounce disgraceful, underhanded ways” (2 Corinthians 4:2a). He said they did that by refusing “to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2b).
• When talking about carrying a financial gift, Paul later noted that they brought a third party with them to provide accountability: “We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man” (2 Corinthians 8:20–21). Having integrity, therefore, is not just about being honest before God but might include being transparent to those around us.
• Peter similarly exhorted Christians, saying, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Having integrity protects a believer’s witness, making the message of Christ more compelling to those who see it lived out consistently.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Integrity is not optional for a follower of Christ. It is the natural outflow of a life transformed by the gospel and is the evidence that confirms what you profess. Believers should ask themselves, “By just my behavior, would the people I encounter know I’m a follower of Christ?”

We live in a time where dishonesty and compromise are often excused. Living with integrity will set you apart as someone anchored in God’s truth. This means that if you are in Christ, every decision and commitment you make must be done with integrity so that God will be honored. For example, If the scanner at the grocery store scans a much lower price than what you know an item is, a true Christian alerts a grocery store clerk rather than trying to get away with paying less. Sometimes the stakes are higher–e.g., if your supervisor tells you to lie on a report to cover wrongdoing in the office, a true Christian will refuse to do that even if it means being fired. Paul tells Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Integrity comes with a cost, but the value of preserving your witness far outweighs anything you might gain in this life by cheating the system.

UNDERSTAND

• Integrity means living truthfully and consistently so that your words and actions align with God’s character.
• Integrity flows from a heart transformed by God.
• Integrity shows that our lives belong wholly to God and makes our witness credible.

REFLECT

• How do you understand the importance of integrity, especially when no one else is watching?
• What importance do you place on your words and actions reflecting the truth and character of God?
• When faced with pressure to compromise, how do you remind yourself that integrity matters more than temporary gain?

ENGAGE

• How does the Bible’s call to integrity challenge or encourage us to live in a way that reflects God’s character?
• What examples from Scripture show us that integrity is not just about avoiding sin but about actively reflecting God’s character?
• How can believers encourage each other to pursue integrity, especially when living truthfully may come at a personal cost?