A major challenge in our society today is the whole question of integrity. Is it possible to be a man of integrity? Being one means that you have to be principled in what you aspire to do, what you are doing and living within these principles. Integrity is part of who really you are. It encompasses your character.
“Character is what you do when no one else is looking.”
Psalm 78:72
‘So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands’ (NKJV)
Integrity is completeness or soundness. You have integrity if you complete a job even when no one is looking. You have integrity if you keep your word even when no one checks up on you. You have integrity if you keep your promises. If you are a man of integrity, you will do what you say. What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person with integrity does not manipulate others. He or she is not prone to arrogance or self-praise. Integrity even invites constructive and necessary criticism because it applauds accountability. It includes adding values to other people. It's honesty at all costs. It requires that when you find you are deviating, you go back to the ‘Factory settings’ that you started with. This will give you the momentum for a new start and drive in life.
Being a man of integrity means that you value what is honest, true, noble, trustworthy, kind and right ahead of personal gain and this becomes a way of life. You will always regret if you don’t do the above. It is a high measure.
Our country is suffering from lack of men and women of integrity. The families and marriages are breaking up because of this ill. Trust has been eroded. The children cannot believe their parents any more. It is our responsibility as men to take our rightful role of leadership both in the family and society and enhance integrity by setting up role modelling in the same.
Being a man of integrity will require that:
Look for the positive. A lot of men don’t load themselves with positive minds. Most times our news items are on bad things in our society. We are caught up talking ills of our government, families, friends, church, etc. We need to endorse integrity and make it a stronger value in our life than criticism and ill talks.
Root yourself in a moral foundation. One of the challenges facing men is the whole issue of moral fiber. How do we handle ourselves in a morally corrupt society? We have to set ourselves a moral foundation on which to be leaning on.
Be in the habit of sharing everything with your wife. When we don’t keep any secrets from our spouse, it tends to have an impact on who we are. Wives are the best accountability partners that we can have. They will share with us our joys, sorrows, pains, excitements, etc.
Hold your children accountable. Every lesson we bring to our children is something we need to hear too. Let the children challenge you if you don’t keep your part of integrity.
Determine to live for others ahead of yourself. Put more value in others particularly your wife and children. The root enemy of integrity is selfishness. The Golden Rule requires treating others the way we would like to be treated. It is impossible to follow the Golden Rule without boosting personal integrity.
Identify your accountability group. We all need friends to hold our arms up, to help keep us strong, and to challenge us when we are not doing right. Our wives can be very good to us if we are also accountable to them. We all need mentors who can advise and correct us.
Resist the temptation to compartmentalize your life. Too many of us are different people in different places. Determine to be a man of integrity; then practice at home, at work, at play, wherever you are.
Partner with a friend where you need to make progress. Take accountability to the next level by asking another man to hold your feet to the fire where necessary. This can be a mutual arrangement.
Practice the habit of imagining the presence of someone whose opinion you value. Ask yourself questions like, What if my father was present at this business meeting? I wonder how my children would enjoy being part of this group. Would I tell this joke in the presence of my wife? How would my children feel if they listened in on this conversation?
Finally
Integrity is a value that we should strive for in all areas of your life. It should be an integral part of our lives. Be who are. Say what you mean. Do what you say you will do. Don’t just walk the walk; talk the talk.
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