Integrity

[Bob Estey]

But thou hast upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in thy presence for ever. Psalm 41:12 RSV

Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define “integrity”?

How do you think God defines “integrity”?

 

[Daniel L.]

Righteousness

 

[bbyrd009]

i have noticed that “righteousness” can be like “holier-than-thou” in the Bible tho…

Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define “integrity”?

being the same when no one is looking as when they are?

fwiw i kinda like “the state of being whole and undivided,” even if that wasnt meant for personal application (in the dictionary)

How do you think God defines “integrity”?

well thats an english word right; although im sure the hebrew is pretty close there? Which i bring up because finding the orig hebrew term might yield some clues,
Psalm 41:12 In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.
“integrity” seems the most pop choice, but “innocence” and “perfection” are also invoked…
Psalm 41:12 Lexicon: As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever.
Strong's Hebrew: 8537. תֹּם (tom) -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate
“random” how cool is that? how does one fit that in with “integrity?”
Strong's Hebrew: 8552. תָּמַם (tamam) -- to be complete or finished

 

[Bob Estey]

being the same when no one is looking as when they are?

The problem with this is that a person can be a jerk whether someone is looking or not, and I wouldn't call that integrity.

 

[Bob Estey]

Righteousness

Yes. Then someone might want you to define "righteousness."

 

[Bob Estey]

fwiw i kinda like “the state of being whole and undivided,” even if that wasnt meant for personal application (in the dictionary)

But what does it mean to be "whole and undivided"?

 

[Bob Estey]

well thats an english word right; although im sure the hebrew is pretty close there? Which i being up because finding the orig hebrew term might yield some clues,
Psalm 41:12 In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.
“integrity” seems the most pop choice, but “innocence” and “perfection” are also invoked…
Psalm 41:12 Lexicon: As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever.
Strong's Hebrew: 8537. תֹּם (tom) -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate
“random” how cool is that? how does one fit that in with “integrity?”
Strong's Hebrew: 8552. תָּמַם (tamam) -- to be complete or finished

I think we need to take the context into consideration, so I believe the Bible is referring to our behavior. What sort of behavior qualifies as "integrity"?

 

[Heart2Soul]

But what does it mean to be "whole and undivided"?

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

"he is known to be a man of integrity"

 

[1stCenturyLady]

But thou hast upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in thy presence for ever. Psalm 41:12 RSV

Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define “integrity”?

How do you think God defines “integrity”?

Truth in heart, mind and actions

Integrity for an unsaved person would be knowing you are a sinner - telling yourself the truth about yourself. Confessing that to Jesus, knowing that He is strong and you are weak is what is needed for Jesus to put His own power within you to make you also strong and born again. The Spirit kills the weakness of a carnal mind.

Only those who are born again and free from sin can enter the kingdom of God. There are millions of "Christians" who are deceived about sin, and their teachers who brainwashed them will be under greater condemnation.

 

[Bob Estey]

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

"he is known to be a man of integrity"

"Strong moral principles." Yes.

 

[Bob Estey]

Truth in heart, mind and actions

Integrity for an unsaved person would be knowing you are a sinner - telling yourself the truth about yourself. Confessing that to Jesus, knowing that He is strong and you are weak is what is needed for Jesus to put His own power within you to make you also strong and born again. The Spirit kills the weakness of a carnal mind.

Only those who are born again and free from sin can enter the kingdom of God. There are millions of "Christians" who are deceived about sin, and their teachers who brainwashed them will be under great condemnation.

Yes, I would think teachers who teach that sin is okay are under greater condemnation than those committing the sin.

 

[Pearl]

Yes. Then someone might want you to define "righteousness."

Integrity means being honest, not deceitful or manipulative and having high standards of moral decency and in the case of Christians we can add righteousness to those other meanings.

 

[Bob Estey]

Truth in heart, mind and actions

Integrity for an unsaved person would be knowing you are a sinner - telling yourself the truth about yourself. Confessing that to Jesus, knowing that He is strong and you are weak is what is needed for Jesus to put His own power within you to make you also strong and born again. The Spirit kills the weakness of a carnal mind.

Only those who are born again and free from sin can enter the kingdom of God. There are millions of "Christians" who are deceived about sin, and their teachers who brainwashed them will be under great condemnation.

Yes, I would think teachers who teach that sin is okay are under greater condemnation than those committing the sin.

And it seems to me heaven is being without sin, because when you are without sin, you are without condemnation. (Once you've repented of your sin, I think you can consider yourself forgiven and without sin.)

 

[Nancy]

I think we need to take the context into consideration, so I believe the Bible is referring to our behavior. What sort of behavior qualifies as "integrity"?

Hi Bob,
Integrity is something I liken to "walk in the light, as He is in the light" To me, this simply means that we should do nothing in the dark as we wouldn't in the light; Or, in front of others. It would make us hypocrites were we to put on a specific face in church or around others, then go home and treat your spouse or kids terribly. Pretty sure we all have a bit of this in us but, it can be shed.
Not sure this makes sense... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ScottA]

But thou hast upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in thy presence for ever. Psalm 41:12 RSV

Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define “integrity”?

How do you think God defines “integrity”?

Hearing, knowing, and holding to the truth.

(It requires all three)

 

[1stCenturyLady]

And it seems to me heaven is being without sin, because when you are without sin, you are without condemnation. (Once you've repented of your sin, I think you can consider yourself forgiven and without sin.)

You will know that by the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. That is the proof. It is not just a belief from theology; it is an actual experience. Personally, I even felt lighter suddenly when the burden of the sin nature lifted out of me. And then the anointing of being filled with the Spirit from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I felt light as a feather and actually looked down to see if my feet were still on the floor. And now that the Spirit was inside of me forever I could hear His voice clearly.

 

[Daniel L.]

define "righteousness."

The opposite of unrighteousness, all unrighteousness is sin. So righteousness is the opposite of sin.
I don't know of a word in specific, but righteousness are all the "good deeds" the righteous practise:

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

-Here are some examples:

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

 

[Bob Estey]

Hearing, knowing, and holding to the truth.

(It requires all three)

How do we define "truth"?

 

[Bob Estey]

You will know that by the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. That is the proof. It is not just a belief from theology; it is an actual experience. Personally, I even felt lighter suddenly when the burden of the sin nature lifted out of me. And then the anointing of being filled with the Spirit from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I felt light as a feather and actually looked down to see if my feet were still on the floor. And now that the Spirit was inside of me forever I could hear His voice clearly.

How does one shed themselves of the sin nature?

 

[Enoch111]

Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define “integrity”?

Integrity and uprightness go together. So "rectitude" would be the best equivalent.

rectitude
rĕk′tĭ-too͞d″, -tyoo͞d″
noun

1. Moral uprightness; righteousness.
2. The quality or condition of being correct in judgment.
3. The quality of being straight.