Integrity is a character trait I’m sure we would all like to see more in our political, business, as well as ministerial leaders.  Unfortunately, it’s something often talked about, but not often observed.  So what does integrity look like?  What is it exactly?  The best way I can describe it is being complete, wholeness, unimpaired condition, soundness, uprightness, honest and sincerity.  Integrity is closely linked to words like honesty, truth, honor veracity, reliability, uprightness and holiness.  So how does integrity apply to women of influence?  How do women in leadership walk it out?

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  (1 Cor. 10:31)  As a woman of influence, you want every facet of your life to glorify God.  It’s important you don’t have a hidden corner totally reserved for yourself.  The Word instructs you to live your life so that every aspect of it can be viewed by others and glory be given to God as a result.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matt 5:16NKJV

Good works won’t buy your way into heaven.  But because you’re heaven bound and freed from the judgment of sin, you freely choose to give your best.  It is your desire to seek excellence, because it’s your gift of love to the One who loved you enough to die for you. 

You want to honor God.  You want to give your all, but you also know that just trying to live good and godly lives won’t cut it either.  And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; Isa 64:6 NKJV  However, this passage doesn’t give you a permission form to live life any way you want to live.  Because our God is holy, you know you must also attempt to be holy.

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God–who chose you to be his children–is holy.  For he himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT

Holiness is not length of hair or clothing, for God is a spirit and His holiness is not dependent upon these outward standards.  So what is holiness?  It is more than being worthy, honorable or even free from sin.  It is Godlikeness.  It is selfless, replete in integrity, excellent in character.  It is being transparent.  Think about onions.  There are no hidden surprises in onions.  You are not going to find a hard seed or even a worm.  An onion is the same throughout.  No matter what garden you find your onion, it will still have this attribute of transparency.  What you see is what you get.

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple.  1 Cor 3:16-17 NLT

I know that this lesson might seem out of place to anyone who would take the time to go to this site and read this article.  I don’t believe you are about to go out and rob a bank or kill someone.  But that doesn’t mean you or I are above temptation.  NONE, I repeat, NONE of us are above temptation.  Take a moment and think about the type of temptations Christian women might face in our culture and our era.  Are you exempt from them all?  I don’t think so.  I know I’m not.

So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.  Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.  Rom 6:11-13  NLT

God’s Word is the plumb line for our lives.  Have you ever used a plum line?  If not, ask a carpenter or someone who wallpapers to show you how it works, because it works the same way in our lives.  If you use the standards of those around you as the measuring rod for your own excellence, you will be only as good as the company you keep.  God has something much better planned for you!  Your attitudes, appearance and actions should be based on God’s best for your life.  Your professional, ministry and volunteer work should be done well because you’re doing it for God.  Your parenting and friendships will be strengthened as you treat others as God would treat them.  All that you say and do is an offering, a thank you gift to Jesus for all He has done for you.

Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.  1 Cor 6:19-20  NLT

When Jesus came into your life, you gave ownership of your heart.  He’s the new owner.  You need to choose to read his owner’s manual and run your life according to it.  He made you, so He knows what’s best for you…even when it is change.  Change is uncomfortable, and it comes with a price.  You will have to invest time, money, energy and emotions.  The process of change is sometimes more effective with help.  A trusted friend, counselor or pastor can be God’s instrument in helping you succeed in your choice to listen to God’s voice. 

Posted under Pastor's Wives