A Leader's Integrity

“In a president, character is everything,” writes Peggy Noonan, outstanding speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. “A president doesn't have to be brilliant. . . he doesn't have to be clever; you can hire clever. . . You can hire pragmatic, and you can buy and bring in policy wonks. But you cannot buy courage and decency; you can't rent a strong moral sense. A president must bring those things with him.”

What she says of a president is true of any leader regardless of their leadership responsibilities. Leadership character is not optional; it's essential; never a luxury, always an essential. You dare not lead without it.

If one character trait stands above the others, it's INTEGRITY. Embrace this one and you embrace many of the others. Integrity can be defined as “wholeness . . . entireness. . . completeness . . . soundness.” It's what personal health is to your body, what 20/20 vision is to your eyes. Integrity has nothing to hide. It's an open book.

A Psalmist said of David, “And David shepherded them (Israel) with integrity of heart; with skillful hands, he led them.” (Psalm 78:72) That's a perfect balance for a leader. David skillfully handled situations that had no rules, no boundaries, no precedence. And in his character, he displayed a heart of integrity. He wasn't perfect; no leader is. But David was complete, whole, and sound.

You see, integrity:

·         Tells the truth every time, not just when it's convenient.

·         Means what it says and says what it means.

·         Is being financially accountable, wise in handling money, especially another's.

·         Is personally reliable; it keeps its promises. When it says, “I'll meet you at 9:00,” it's 9:00 not 9:05 or whenever you get there.

·         Is privately pure. No double life that causes shame and disgrace to the family if known.

Are you a leader? CEO of a corporation, bank president, school principal, head coach, maybe a lead pastor, Bible study or small group leader, a parent of teenagers, or business owner. Do you want to shock the world you live in? I mean really rock it? Then. . .

Have the guts to stand strong with rock-solid integrity in a culture lacking moral fiber

Have the guts. . . to not cut ethical corners or take shortcuts ... to not compromise under pressure ... to not mess around when you're out of town ... to keep porn off your computer... to keep your promises . . . to be financially accountable, personally reliable, and privately pure always... .to be honest at all costs ...to do what is right when no one else is looking or when everyone else is compromising ...to not cheat on exams or plagiarize a paper. That kind of life radiates like a brilliant star lighting up the universe (Philippians 2:15)

INTEGRITY ROCKS!!

INTEGRITY BEGINS NOW; not tomorrow or the next day or when you feel like it. Now is the time to be above reproach, to change your attitude, to be pure, honest, trust worthy, to maintain an unbending walk with the Lord.

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Jesus told His disciples they were to live before the world so that the light of their integrity filled character would be so apparent, people would see God in His majestic excellence and glorify Him.

Integrity Takes Guts

You're a leader--CEO of a corporation, president of a bank, principal of a school, head coach of a football team, military general, lead pastor, Bible study leader, parent of teenagers, or owner of your own business. Do you want to shock the world you live in? I mean really rock it? Then. ..

Have the guts to stand strong with integrity in a culture lacking moral fiber

Have the guts. . . . to tell the truth all the time. . . to say what you mean and mean what you say every time. . . to not cut ethical corners or take shortcuts. . .to not compromise under pressure. . . to not mess around when you're out of town. . .to keep your words when no one checks up on you. . .to keep your promises . . . to be financially accountable, personally reliable, and privately pure. . to be honest at all costs. . .to do what is right when no one else is looking or when everyone else is compromising. . . to not cheat on exams or plagiarize a paper. That kind of life radiates like a brilliant star lighting up the universe (Philippians 2:15)

INTEGRITY ROCKS!!

Three things to remember about integrity:

·         INTEGRTITY STAYS IN PLACE WHETHER TESTED BY ADVERSITY OR PROSPERITY. Of the two, prosperity is the more difficult. With adversity, life gets simple, basic … fast. The goal is SURVIVAL! With prosperity comes a variety of temptations and inducements. Remember Daniel managed his integrity at the top of the ladder as well as at the bottom of the lion's den. He went in with integrity and came out with it.

·         INTEGRITY IS CONSISTENT whether you are a husband, wife, or parent, an employee or employer, a leader or follower, a teacher or student, a pastor or a ministry leader.

·         INTEGRITY BEGINS NOW. Now is the time:

to be above reproach

to change your attitude

to be pure, honest, trust worthy

to maintain an unbending walk with the Lord.

“As a man (a leader) thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) Integrity is a matter of our hearts.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Jesus told His disciples they were to live before the world so that the light of their character would be so apparent that people would give thanks to God.