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By Lisa Kirazian, writer;
former student leader at Stanford U.
The temptation hit me while I
was taking a break during my SAT test. I couldn't remember the definition of a particular
word. Other students out in the hall were quietly stretching and
getting drinks from the water fountain. No one was watching. It
would only take a moment to find a dictionary in an open classroom,
look up the word and slip back into the group . . .
Temptations like this continue to accost me. At work-study jobs
during college, it was easy to stay after hours to use computers,
laser printers, postage meters and copy machines for free. After
all, who wants to pay outrageous prices for those things at the
student union? I've copied computer programs
and music albums from friends instead of paying for them like
they did. I've revealed secrets to friends that I had promised
not to share. As a Bible study leader, I'd tell my fellow students
how important it was to act lovingly in family conflicts-- but
I wasn't very loving at home. My words say, "This is who
I am," and yet my actions say "No, this is who
you really are!"
Integrity isn't something I thought about much while growing up.
And I'm not alone. We've all cut corners, taken the easy way out,
hidden little misbehaviors and told white lies. So what's the
big deal? We feel "ripped off" in so many ways that
we feel justified in letting integrity slide in return.
The examples I've given might seem trivial, but ultimately those
actions contradicted the values I profess to have. Jesus said
that those who are trustworthy in little would be trustworthy
in much. Conversely, small, inappropriate actions have large consequences,
too-- if not on the world, then certainly on my character. And
I have come to learn-- slowly-- that integrity means having one's
actions directly reflect one's professed values, and integrating
that way of living in all of one's worlds: at work, in school,
with family and friends, in public and even alone. Regardless
of our circumstances or how others are living in comparison, a
lifestyle of integrity is crucial to our well-being, our calling
and our salvation as Christians.
It's the easiest thing in the world, however, to be one person
in one situation and a different person in another. The New Testament
book of James addresses this issue, and it's a good place to start.
James begins with these foundational words:
"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of
any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the
testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have
its full effect so that you may be mature and complete, lacking
in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives
to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like
a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For the doubter,
double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive
anything from the Lord" (James 1:2-8, NRSV).
What does this passage have to do with integrity? The text says
that trials potentially lead to faith, which leads to perseverance,
which leads to maturity, which leads to wisdom, which leads to
stability. This process of becoming "complete" is essentially
the process of developing one's integrity. Throughout the book,
James challenges the double-minded, or two-faced, nature he describes
in 1:8. He reveals the inconsistency in our character, and then
he challenges us to choose the way of integrity instead.
LISTENING VS. DOING
"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not
doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;
for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget
what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law,
the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget
but doers who act-- they will be blessed in their doing"
(1:22-25, NRSV).
We deceive ourselves and others if our words or beliefs don't
match our actions. But how can we seek to better unify our words
and beliefs? Reflecting on them is one way. Some people keep a
daily journal, describing thoughts, feelings, situations or conversations
which have made an impact on them. Journaling helps us listen
to ourselves and examine our actions. It can also help us discover
ungodly patterns and habits that hinder integrity.
FAVORITISM VS. FAIRNESS
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if
you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point
is guilty of breaking all of it" (2:8-10, NIV).
Just a few verses earlier (2:1-4), James describes the varying
treatment his readers might offer the rich and the poor who attend
their meetings. The wealthy are offered the best seats, and the
poor are told to stand off to the side. Again, integrity-- that
sense of wholeness in our lives-- is directly linked to our wholehearted
adherence to what we know to be true: God detests favoritism.
What do you do when you are faced with people you'd rather not
treat with respect and dignity? Our tendency is to avoid them.
We sit at tables with people like us. We cross the street to walk
on the opposite sidewalk so we won't feel awkward. It's hard not
to always be with friends, but whenever you have the opportunity
to be with someone not quite as likable, try choosing to take
the initiative to get to know him or her. After a while, you'll
discover some admirable traits, and you'll develop a respect for
the work God is doing in that person. Remember that God chooses
to walk with us every day and probably has an even harder time
putting up with us! Thank God that he doesn't show favoritism.
FAITH AND DEEDS
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead. Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he
did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his
faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was
made complete by what he did" (2:17, 20-22, NIV).
James presents us with the model of Abraham, who saw his integrity--
his wholehearted obedience to his God-- as more important than
his own flesh and blood, whom he loved dearly. It was quite a
risk for both Abraham and Isaac to believe that God would somehow
spare Isaac at the last moment. Fortunately, God provided a ram
for the sacrifice, so Isaac didn't have to die. This episode in
Abraham's life shows us that the more we desire to have faith,
the more God opens our eyes to opportunities to take risks -- evangelistically,
financially, relationally -- and to be challenged in ways which
grow our character.
THE TONGUE
"How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And
the tongue is a fire. . . . With it we bless the Lord and Father,
and with it we curse those who have been made in the likeness
of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers
and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a stream pour forth
from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? (3:9-11,
NRSV).
Our duplicity and lack of integrity are often most evident in
our speech. With one group I've often said something good about
one friend to another, then in another group I've criticized their
every trait. How frustrating! In church or large-group meetings
we praise God, but we go forth only to lambaste and steer clear
of people who live differently from us. I've done this to a roommate,
to members of my family and to people at work. Both "praise"
and "cursing" come out of me.
We try to show our best side to God but not to people. We try
to "talk our walk," letting our tongue smooth over our
inconsistencies of character. But it doesn't work, at least not
for long. As James says, fresh water and salt water can't flow
from the same stream. Salt water will never taste like fresh water;
neither will our sinful speech ever be edifying to others.
No matter how badly we have wounded others with our speech, forgiveness
makes a difference. Think of the times you've backstabbed a friend,
told someone's secret, gossiped or treated someone inconsistently.
Seeking their forgiveness can be freeing, even amidst the hurt.
RIGHT AND WRONG MOTIVES
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they
come from your desires that battle within you? You want something
but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what
you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you
do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you
ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your
pleasures" (4:1-3, NIV).
Another battle we face is between godly and ungodly desires. What
we want is not always what God wants, and often not what is best
for us. We profess to trust God and his plan, but do we really
live believing that he knows best? What if you don't get the job
you think God wants you to have? What if you never connect with
that great-looking Christian you thought was a godsend to your
nonexistent dating life? When you reflect on times of disappointment
and seemingly unanswered prayer, take James seriously: did you
really ask God to create in you the desires of his heart,
or did you merely ask him to "rubber stamp" his approval
of your own desires?
Our calendars and checkbooks are the real tests of our priorities.
And the ways we spend our time, energy and money are indicators
of our deepest goals, desires, values and even idols. It's worth
asking how God might want us to realign our priorities with his.
This is extremely important to do when we are tempted to compromise
our integrity and when we feel like our finances, time and energy
are out of control. God provides for us when we seek his kingdom
priorities first.
PRIDE AND HUMILITY
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw
near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your
hearts, you double-minded. . . . Humble yourselves before the
Lord, and he will exalt you. . . . As it is, you boast in your
arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows
the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. (4:7-10,16-17,
NRSV).
Granted, James is not the gentlest book in the Bible. But it has
some of the most straightforward wisdom we'll ever read. In these
verses, we are entreated to act: to submit, to resist,
to come, to wash, to purify, to humble ourselves. And God will
respond. He will lift us out of our double-mindedness and our
pride.
Humility doesn't come easily. I can be humble and modest with
children and older people, but defensive with family and friends
who know me. I tend to become proud and competitive with people
who have something I don't, or who surpass me in some way.
James challenges us to choose humility over pride. One way to
do this is by serving other people whenever possible: give people
rides if you have a car; pay more than your share of the tip;
do an errand for someone; share your weaknesses or mistakes with
those you are most set on showing only your brilliant side to.
James isn't calling us to perfectionism, but rather to face our
double standards. Our progress on this road to integrity will
be slow. James 1:35 says the one "who looks intently
into the perfect law that gives freedom" will be blessed,
not the one who succeeds in being perfect. It is God and
his law which are perfect, not us. If we look intently to God,
in his completeness and integrity, he will shape us into leaders
of integrity, whole and mature in him. He is merciful, and am
I ever glad!
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