What is integrity? The Cambridge Dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change”. Does God care about a person’s integrity? Yes, He does! Part of a godly character is having integrity and as parents, we are called to raise children of integrity.
There are two Bible verses that I would like to share about integrity. Proverbs 10:9 (NIV) states “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Being a person of integrity, therefore, brings direction from God and security. On the other hand, a person who does not have integrity will take all sorts of different, easier, and quicker paths because there is no foundation of honor and respect toward God or anyone else – just self.
According to Psalm 25:21 (NIV), integrity offers a person protection because all our hope is in God: “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” Again, this verse emphasizes the protection and security that comes from integrity. The person’s hope is in the Lord, not in himself or anything that he can do to achieve his own goals.
How do we teach integrity to our children? First and foremost, we must walk in integrity ourselves and lead by example. Our foundation must be based on God’s Word, not anything else. If your child has a question about what should be done, take him to the Bible and find out what the Bible says. Second, we should attend church regularly together as a family; have family devotional time; and talk with our children, truly listening to them. Point out people in the Bible and in our times who have walked in integrity. Children need good role models so we can help them find ones. A child will not develop integrity as part of his character on his own. The seeds of integrity must be planted, developed, and nurtured.