Proverbs 11:3 Integrity_

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NIV

The word “integrity” among believers has come to mean honesty, or being morally upright. The Hebrew can mean “completeness, fullness, morally innocent, simplicity.” I personally like the word picture provided by the English definition: the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. For example, when speaking of ore, when it is pure and no other substance mixes with it, it has integrity. Or if you have a ship and you are evaluating its hull and determine it has full strength with no damage or weakness, it has integrity. Throughout the whole substance it is 100% what it appears to be. It is sound. Strong. 

“Unfaithful” on the other hand, means crooked, deceptive, perverse, and what you see is NOT what you get. And the duplicity the unfaithful present to others ends up being their own crooked path of ruin.

The picture couldn’t be more helpful to those whose hearts are inclined toward God. Jesus is our good shepherd, he leads us. Our Father is our pillar of smoke by day and fire by night as he guides us to a new land. Yet there are moments we need direction and we simply don’t know what the right choice is. Solomon says that in times like this, our integrity will show us the path. We have set our hearts on a different kingdom and heavenly fabric is being woven within. Trust Him. Trust the process. Trust that if you are not distinctly hearing from him, that your heart already has the answer, or soon will have it. Wait for Him. If I make a commitment to doing the right thing, my heart will recognize it when I see it. This is integrity. And this is how integrity guides.