The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them – Proverbs 11:3
It’s the reason and the glue
To mean what you say and do.
In seasons of abundant green,
And when times become lean,
It’s a quality that sets you apart:
Your reliably dependable heart.
Not allowing situations to steal
What you’ve chosen to reveal,
It’s not based on perfection,
But unwavering conviction—
As described in Proverbs 11:3,
Of someone governed by integrity.
The opening poem speaks of an essential character trait that’s often most apparent when obscured. It’s the individual who seeks to do what’s right even if not witnessed or if others are behaving differently. It’s the individual who refuses to expose entrusted communications even if doing so promises personal benefit. This individual is guided by principles that he or she has chosen to live by—which, for a Christian, are governed by God’s Word.
Being bound by integrity doesn’t restrict; it frees us from the burden of behaving based on feelings or other people’s approval. It’s the satisfaction of not following the crowd but following the One who matters the most.