I received a piece of mail yesterday that was an advertisement for a specific political candidate. I don’t remember who nor the office for which they were running. Nevertheless, I do remember the three words they chose to describe the person seeking my vote. 

HONESTY

TRUSTWORTHINESS 

INTEGRITY

As I thought about these words I realized that these are three words that basically mean the same thing. However, INTEGRITY is best described as being honest when no one is looking. 

Psalm 15 describes this person with distinct words of trustworthiness. 

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

And speaks truth in his heart.

He does not slander with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,

But who honors those who fear the LORD;

He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

He does not put out his money at interest,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.


When I read this Psalm here is what I see. A person with integrity: 

  • Walks with RIGHTEOUSNESS
  • Speaks TRUTH
  • Is not SLANDEROUS
  • Does not do EVIL
  • Does not act with REPROACH
  • HONORS the Lord
  • FEARS the Lord
  • BEARS the consequences, pain or hurt 
  • Does not change but is STEADY
  • Financially RESPONSIBLE
  • Is not INFLUENCED with bribery

If we had a candidate that could do these things they would have my vote. But for now, I got work on me and you got work on you. Because really, we all have a long way to go when it comes to meeting these standards of integrity. 

Let’s pray for our leaders and pray for ourselves as we all work to be better than we were yesterday. Pray that our sins are forgiven and that we can be people of integrity. 

I love you, 

Alex