I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with integrity of heart in my house.–Psalm 101:2
Integrity isn’t just something you display when you’re out in public or on the job. It also carries over to your family, to your kids, to your neighbors, to everybody who comes into contact with you. Am I saying things to my family like, “This is what I want you to do,” but I don’t necessarily do them? Am I saying, “This is what we’re going to be all about as a family,” but maybe next week it won’t be? I think that’s very confusing and it’s important to let my family know here are our standards, the Lord’s standards. This is what we’re going to try to live up to. Sure we’re going to fail at times and we’re going to fall short, but this is what we need to be about. If you’re not totally transparent, and if you’re not totally honest and you don’t have that integrity at home, then it’s going to show up sooner there than it does out in the public eye.
1. What are some examples of how one’s level of integrity might change depending on surroundings or
circumstances?
2. What are some dangers that might come from having inconsistent character?
3. What are some ways that you can avoid the temptation of living one way in public and another way in
private? What are the benefits to that kind of lifestyle?
Psalms 101; Psalms 139:23-24
Lord, I want to live a life of integrity in private and in public. Help me be the same person of moral, biblical character no matter where I go, no matter who is around, and no matter what challenging circumstances I might face along the way. Amen.
About the Author:
Tony Dungy is the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. In 2007, he became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl (XXL) when the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears.