In the Old Testament the word integrity (tummah) carries several meanings: whole, full, perfect, upright, honest, singleness of purpose, soundness, simplicity, and sincerity of the heart and intent. It’s interesting that a derivative of the word (tummim) was written on the High Priest’s Breastplate (Ex 28:30) as it was used in determining the will of God (Urim and Thummim); it infers innocence or integrity.
In the New Testament we don’t find the word integrity but in one place we find the word “honesty” (1 Tim 2:2), wherein Paul requested prayer for all men that they should lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. In another place we find the related word “sincere” (Phil 1:10), with the implied meaning of being tested to see if it’s genuine by the sunlight or by the sun’s rays, holding it up to the light. Perhaps we can infer that the light of the Son tests our sincerity.
When taken collectively, we get a clear picture of just what integrity stands for. Perhaps our brother in the Lord, Daniel Webster, had the Hebrew and Greek in mind when he published his definition: An unimpaired condition; soundness; adherence to a code of moral values; the quality or state of being complete or undivided; synonyms: honesty/unity.
For me, it all comes down to something my father told me a long time ago: “Nobody can take your honesty (integrity) away from you; you have to give it away.”Hold that thought and consider what can’t be taken away from us: uprightness, singleness of purpose, simplicity, sincerity, honesty, and our state of being undivided or in unity … but we can give them away!
Special Note – we are just about there in putting together the $1600 needed for the orphans registration at the Sambia Academy I mentioned yesterday. If you can help out just use our PayPal Account … your help will insure these 77 children will not only get an all paid for high school education but a university degree. Here is yesterdays note … Awesome News!