Comment: Beginning in Genesis and mentioned in the historical books the word ‘integrity’ is frequently mentioned in the wisdom books. It is mentioned at least sixteen times. However, it is not found in the NT books, although it would be worth checking if the concept is there.
In the Old Testament we have – Gen 20: 5 “Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” This is part of an interesting story – God got Abimelech, a powerful leader, out of committing sin by speaking in a dream. Abraham had prevaricated to Abimelech about who Sarah his wife was. Abraham told a half lie in that when he said that she was his sister (true) but fearing that Abimelech might kill him to get his wife he was actually lying! Abimelech was acting on the lie when he took Sarah but before he did anything sexwise God stopped him. Abimelech claimed that he had acted in integrity! God accepted that. In the book of Job the word is used 4 times. Initially, when he had lost everything and suffering physically as well, his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job’s answer was ‘my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.’ Answering one of his accusers Job said ‘Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.’ and then added ‘Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!’ After this God spoke with him and the last two and a half chapters of Job are worth the reading!
Proverbs and Psalms use the word 9 times! Prov 20: 7 ‘The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!’
Prayer: Father in relationship to integrity I choose to be a Job. please help me to be faithful to this!
As I read it! 