INTEGRITY BEFORE GOD AND MEN
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 1:12
Key Verse: “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” — 2 Corinthians 1:12
Supporting Texts: Psalm 15:1-2; Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 11:3; Acts 24:16; Hebrews 13:18; Matthew 5:37; Luke 16:10; Ephesians 4:25; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 2:12
Description: Integrity before God and men means living truthfully, consistently, and uprightly in both private and public life.
INTRODUCTION
Integrity is the quality of being whole, honest, upright, and consistent in character. A person of integrity does not change principles merely because circumstances change or because nobody is watching. For the believer, integrity is not simply a good reputation before people; it is a life that remains acceptable before God.
In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul spoke about the testimony of his conscience concerning the way he had conducted himself in the world and towards the Corinthian believers. He emphasised simplicity and godly sincerity and made it clear that his conduct was not based on fleshly wisdom but on the grace of God. His confidence came from knowing that his life could withstand examination.
God sees both the public and private aspects of our lives. People may see our appearance, ministry, words, and activities, but God sees the heart. Therefore, believers must pursue integrity before God and men, so that our character agrees with our confession and our private lives support our public testimony.
1. UNDERSTAND THAT INTEGRITY BEGINS WITH GOD
True integrity begins with reverence for God. When a person recognises that God sees and knows everything, he will desire to live uprightly even when no human being is watching.
a. God Looks At The Heart (1 Samuel 16:7) — God does not judge merely by outward appearance. He examines the heart and knows the true condition of a person.
b. Walk Before God Uprightly (Genesis 17:1) — God instructed Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect. Integrity begins with a conscious decision to live under God's authority.
c. Fear God And Depart From Evil (Proverbs 8:13) — Reverence for God produces hatred for evil and strengthens the believer to reject sinful practices.
d. Live For God's Approval (Galatians 1:10) — The person who lives for God's approval will not compromise biblical principles simply to gain human acceptance.
Biblical Example: Joseph maintained his integrity because he understood that sin against God was more serious than the opportunity presented by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:7-12).
2. MAINTAIN A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
A clear conscience is an important evidence of integrity. Paul could speak confidently because his conscience testified concerning the sincerity of his conduct.
a. Examine Yourself Before God (Psalm 139:23-24) — We should regularly ask God to search our hearts and reveal attitudes or actions that need correction.
b. Keep Your Conscience Clean (Acts 24:16) — Paul exercised himself to maintain a conscience that was void of offence towards God and people.
c. Respond To God's Conviction (John 16:8) — The Holy Spirit brings conviction so that believers can recognise wrong and turn back to the right path.
d. Do Not Harden Your Heart (Hebrews 3:13) — Continually ignoring conviction can make the heart insensitive to truth and increase the danger of spiritual compromise.
Biblical Example: Daniel's enemies examined his conduct carefully but could not find corruption or fault in him. His integrity was evident even under intense scrutiny (Daniel 6:4-5).
3. LET YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS AGREE
Integrity requires consistency between what we say and what we do. A trustworthy believer does not make promises with his mouth while deliberately acting contrary to them.
a. Speak The Truth (Ephesians 4:25) — Believers must put away falsehood and speak truthfully because they belong to one another.
b. Keep Your Word (Matthew 5:37) — Jesus taught that our communication should be trustworthy and straightforward.
c. Be Faithful In Commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5) — Promises should not be made carelessly. When we make commitments, we should endeavour to honour them.
d. Let Your Actions Confirm Your Faith (James 2:17) — Genuine faith produces corresponding actions. Our conduct should give evidence that our faith is real.
Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated the sincerity of his repentance by taking practical steps to restore what he had taken wrongly and by giving generously to the poor (Luke 19:1-10).
4. WALK IN INTEGRITY WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
The greatest test of integrity often comes in secret. A person may impress people publicly while living differently in private, but God sees everything.
a. Remember That God Sees In Secret (Matthew 6:4-6) — God sees actions, motives, prayers, and decisions that are hidden from human observation.
b. Reject Secret Sin (Numbers 32:23) — Hidden wrongdoing eventually produces consequences. Sin cannot remain concealed forever.
c. Maintain Purity In Private (Psalm 101:2) — David determined to behave wisely and walk with integrity within his house. Private character matters to God.
d. Honour God In Every Place (Colossians 3:23) — Whether people are watching or not, everything should be done wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.
Biblical Example: Joseph refused sexual temptation when he was alone with Potiphar's wife. His integrity was not dependent on human supervision (Genesis 39:11-12).
5. REFUSE DISHONESTY AND MANIPULATION
Integrity cannot coexist with deceit, manipulation, corruption, or deliberate exploitation. God's people must conduct themselves transparently and honestly.
a. Renounce Hidden Dishonesty (2 Corinthians 4:2) — Paul rejected hidden things of dishonesty and refused to walk in craftiness.
b. Do Not Deceive Others (Leviticus 19:11) — God's people are commanded not to steal, lie, or deal falsely with one another.
c. Reject Dishonest Gain (Proverbs 15:27) — Greed and dishonest gain can bring trouble into a person's household and destroy a good testimony.
d. Conduct Yourself Honestly (Hebrews 13:18) — Believers should desire to maintain honest conduct in every area of life.
Biblical Example: Samuel could openly challenge Israel to identify any wrongdoing, bribery, or oppression in his leadership because he had maintained integrity throughout his service (1 Samuel 12:1-5).
6. PRACTISE INTEGRITY IN RELATIONSHIPS
Integrity must be demonstrated in our dealings with family, friends, church members, colleagues, and neighbours. Christian character is revealed by how we treat people.
a. Love Without Pretence (Romans 12:9) — Genuine Christian love must be sincere and must not be used as a mask for selfish motives.
b. Treat People Justly (Micah 6:8) — God requires His people to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
c. Correct With Love (Ephesians 4:15) — Integrity allows us to speak the truth, but Christian truth must be communicated in love.
d. Keep Trust (Proverbs 11:13) — A trustworthy person protects confidential matters rather than using private information to harm others.
Biblical Example: Jonathan demonstrated remarkable integrity in his relationship with David. He refused to allow personal ambition to destroy his friendship or his commitment to God's purpose (1 Samuel 20:1-42).
7. BE FAITHFUL IN SMALL THINGS
Integrity is revealed in little matters before it is tested in greater responsibilities. A person who is careless with small things may eventually become careless with greater things.
a. Be Faithful In Little (Luke 16:10) — Jesus taught that faithfulness in the least demonstrates the character needed for greater responsibility.
b. Handle Another Person's Property Honestly (Luke 16:12) — Integrity includes being trustworthy with what belongs to someone else.
c. Be Faithful In Your Assignment (1 Corinthians 4:2) — Stewards are required to be faithful. God values reliability in those entrusted with His work.
d. Do Not Despise Small Responsibilities (Zechariah 4:10) — Great things often begin with seemingly insignificant assignments. Faithfulness in small things prepares the way for greater usefulness.
Biblical Example: David was faithful in caring for his father's sheep before he was entrusted with the responsibility of leading Israel (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
8. PROTECT YOUR TESTIMONY UNTIL THE END
Integrity is not merely about starting well; it is about remaining faithful. A good testimony must be protected throughout the journey of life and ministry.
a. Maintain A Good Reputation (Proverbs 22:1) — A good name is more valuable than great material wealth because character has lasting value.
b. Let Your Good Works Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Our conduct should cause people to recognise the goodness of God and glorify Him.
c. Remain Blameless In Your Conduct (Titus 2:7-8) — Christian leaders and believers should demonstrate a pattern of good works, sound speech, and integrity.
d. Finish Faithfully (2 Timothy 4:7) — Paul could look back on his life and testify that he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.
Biblical Example: Job maintained his integrity even after devastating personal losses. His circumstances changed, but he refused to abandon his commitment to God (Job 2:3; 27:5-6).
CONCLUSION
Integrity before God and men is a powerful testimony of genuine Christianity. Paul could rejoice because his conscience testified that he had conducted himself with simplicity and godly sincerity. He did not build his ministry on manipulation or human wisdom but on the grace of God. In the same way, our lives should be such that our character can withstand examination.
Determine today to live the same life in private that you present in public. Let your words be truthful, your dealings honest, your commitments dependable, and your heart pure before God. When integrity becomes your lifestyle, you will have a clear conscience, a trustworthy testimony, and a life that brings honour to Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me grace to walk in integrity before You and before men, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, purify my heart and remove every hidden form of dishonesty from my life, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to maintain a clear conscience before You and before everyone around me, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, let my words and actions always agree with Your truth, in Jesus name.
5. Father, deliver me from deception, manipulation, corruption, and every form of compromise, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, help me to remain faithful in little things and trustworthy in every responsibility You give me, in Jesus name.
7. Father, give me grace to maintain integrity even when nobody is watching, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, preserve my relationships from dishonesty, betrayal, selfishness, and hypocrisy, in Jesus name.
9. Father, protect my testimony and help me to remain faithful until the end, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, make my life a clear testimony of Christ's truth, righteousness, and grace, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall walk in integrity before God and men, and your life shall honour the Lord.
2. Every hidden power of deception, hypocrisy, and compromise shall lose its hold over your life.
3. Your conscience shall remain clear, and your heart shall be established in truth.
4. Your words shall be trustworthy, and your actions shall confirm your confession of faith.
5. You shall not fall into the trap of corruption, manipulation, or dishonest gain.
6. You shall be faithful in little things and trusted with greater responsibilities.
7. Your integrity shall preserve you from shame, disgrace, and unnecessary destruction.
8. Your good name and Christian testimony shall be preserved by the grace of God.
9. You shall remain upright even when you are tested, examined, or falsely accused.
10. You shall finish your journey faithfully, with a clear conscience and a testimony that glorifies God.
