"What Does It Mean To Be A Man Of Integrity?"

By Martin

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).


“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).




Unfortunately, there are many men, and women, in our society that lack integrity.  First off, what is integrity?  The easiest way to describe integrity is the way I learned it in the Army; integrity is doing what is right even when no one else is looking. Doing what is right, even when no one else is looking, is important.  But doing what is right even when the end result will most likely be disciplinary action, punishment, or isolation is even more important. When I was in Officer Candidate School (OCS) for the US Army and when I worked for the railroad, both times I was faced with an ethical dilemma.  In OCS, it was the instructors physically abusing the students; in the railroad, it was my boss specifically instructing contract personnel to violate safety rules for productivity purposes (productivity over safety).

Looking back on those situations, I can tell you right now, it would have been a lot easier to just look the other way, like everyone else in my OCS class and on that railroad facility.  But, I am a man of integrity and I cannot just look the other way, especially when I know it is wrong.  There are not many people that will reward you for having integrity.  Actually, it is more likely that the opposite will happen.


By Martin


Paul and Jesus’ half-brother James both have something to say about men of integrity.  I have adopted these two verses as my life’s verses.  “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Not only does a man of integrity do what is right, he speaks in the same manner; lies do not become us.  When I was a kid, I remember taking a $20 from my parents. I looked into the pouch of money and thought, ‘they won’t miss this, they have plenty’. About ten minutes later, my mother came to me and asked me, in the politest way possible, if I had taken the money. My flesh wanted to say no, knowing that if I said yes I would receive a good beating. Nevertheless, I told my mother the truth and gave her the money back. I told her exactly what I had thought when I took it, "I didn't think you  guys would miss it". But they did miss it! Thankfully, I did not receive any punishment for taking the money, or for telling the truth for that matter.

God feels the same way about us. We are His children and when one of us goes astray He searches tirelessly until He finds us again (metaphorically speaking since He knows where we are at all times and our every word and thought). God loves you because you are His child. Regardless of how our parent’s love(d) us, He loves us even more. He has charged us, men, to be the head of our family as Jesus is the head of the church. As the head, we are called to do what is right at all times; even though it will be hard at times.

As for me, I might not be a senior manager for the railroad because I wouldn’t look the other way.  And, I might not be a company commander because I wouldn’t keep quiet. But, I know that God is watching down on me and He is proud of me. He is always watching. What we do on earth builds our home in heaven. 

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? If not, you can do so this very moment by asking Him into your heart and allowing Him to be your Lord and Savior. I encourage you to get into a Bible-believing church and surround yourself with good Christian men. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Don’t be afraid that you have done too much to be forgiven. If you have not taken anything else away from this testimony, please take this away, God will forgive you regardless of what you have done; blasphemy against the Spirit is the only sin that you cannot be forgiven for. “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32).

Dear Lord, thank You that You so loved the world ~ that You so loved me ~ that You gave Your One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I am not defined by what I have done or by who others say that I am. Your Word says that I was fearfully and wonderfully made by You. Your Word also says that as I trust You I become a new creation. As I study Your Word and seek You, You have the power to transform me from the inside out, through the renewal of my mind. Please help me to trust and believe in You with all my heart and that I am forgiven. Thank You for loving me with everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.