II Samuel 20:9-10 "And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib. . . ."
Integrity is defined as "the virtue of being innocent, complete, and simple." In short, integrity is doing the same thing with both hands! Joab was a man who did many good things, but his life did not add up. What was the missing ingredient? Integrity. This truth was never better illustrated than in the story of Amasa in II Samuel 20.
With one hand, Joab would pat you on the back; with the other hand, he would stab you in the back! "But," you say, "weren't there good things about Joab?" Yes, of course. That is what makes a lack of integrity so confusing! In your life, how sharp does a person have to be to believe and understand you? Are you innocent, complete, and simple? Do people have a true and complete picture of you?
I can't imagine trying to shake Joab's hand after this incident! I would always wonder what was coming next when I wasn't looking! Do people view you the same way you would view Joab? The farther from the truth you are, the less integrity you possess. So, how wide is the gap between you and the truth in your life? How wide is the gap between your words and your actions? How wide is the gap between your character and your reputation? How wide is the gap between the "real" you and the "Facebook" you?
In the technological age in which we live, it is easy to forsake integrity in your home, at work, and online. Don't live today doing one thing with your right hand and something different with your left hand! Can the words innocent, complete, and simple describe you? Is your life defined by integrity?
No comments:
Post a Comment