In a game two weeks later, with Benson again umpiring and Tanner playing shortstop, a similar play occurred. This time Benson thought Tanner had missed the tag on a runner going to third, and she called the runner safe. Tanner glanced at Benson and, without saying a word, flipped the ball to the catcher and returned to his position. Benson sensed something was wrong. "Did you tag the runner?" she asked Tanner. "Yes," he replied.
Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. Says Benson, "If a kid is that honest, I have to give it to him. T-ball is supposed to be for the kids."
In a world often characterized by skepticism about trusting others, it’s nice to be reminded of the simple truth from a 7-year old: integrity builds trust. When people speak honestly to us, act in integrity, and behave according to stated values, we trust them.
Defining Integrity
Many often confuse honesty with integrity. There is a subtle difference. Although being honest is certainly part of being a person of integrity, simple honesty does not capture the full concept.
Etymologically, integrity means “wholeness” coming from the Latin integritatem. Derivatives of the word include integer (whole numbers) and integrated, where parts are combined into a whole.
The ancient concept is found in the Old Testament Hebrew word “tamim” (תָּמִים) and there are two images of its use. In once instance it refers to a piece of clay that is shaped and molded by a potter. If the clay lacks tamim it is inconsistent or contains a flaw. When the clay is fired in the oven it hardens in the shape of a pot, but when pressure is brought to bear upon it as when filled with water, the inconsistent vessel breaks under stress.
The word was also used commonly in the Old Testament to describe the physical perfection required in animals for sacrifice. They were to be “without blemish”. This word was given a moral connotation as was frequently done in the Old Testament. Note the instance of Moses speaking to Israel, "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God" (Deut. 18:13). “Tamim” carries the sense of perfect, faultless, undefiled, morally upright, authentic, and sound.
In the passage above, Moses commands us to be tamim (תָּמִים), i.e., "finished," "complete," or "perfect" before the LORD. Note that this Hebrew word does not denote ideal moral perfectionism as much as it suggests being "thoroughly made" or brought to successful completion. For example, tamim is used to describe completed years (Gen. 47:18); healthy animal sacrifices (Lev. 22:21-22); nourishing vines (Ezek. 15:5); truthful speech (Amos 5:10); finished building projects (1 Kings 6:22); and even the fulfilled destruction of a people (Num. 14:33). In our relationship with God, tamim means being wholehearted, resolute, and entirely committed to walking "with" Him in this world.
In Genesis 6:9 and 17:1, the Hebrew word tamim is used to refer to Noah and Abraham, respectively, and is translated as blameless. In Deuteronomy 18:13, the same word, tamim, is translated as “wholehearted”.
Since integrity is essentially wholeness, there are three components of our lives that should remain consistent in relationship to each other: our words, actions, and values. When what we say, what we do, and what we value is congruent, we possess integrity. Consequently, there are three basic forms that a lack of integrity may take.
Verbal Inconsistency
In this case, the person acts according to his true values though his words present a different picture. The lack of integrity in this case takes the form of a basic dishonesty.
This is when someone says one thing, but knows and believes another, and acts in a way inconsistent with their words. Simply put, they are intentionally lying. Dishonest words that are inconsistent with what we believe (values) and with what we do (actions) make us people who lack integrity.
Remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? Many believers were selling possessions and giving the money to the church for distribution to the poor. This was not a mandate, but many were doing so. Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and now told the apostles that they had given ALL the money gained from the sale to the church. In a supernatural way, Peter knew this was not so. As a result of their blatant lie, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead by the Holy Spirit. God was taking very seriously this deceit to the newly established church. This couple clearly said with their words what was not consistent with their values or their actions.
Action Inconsistency
A second lack of integrity is an inconsistency between one’s actions on one side, and one’s words and values on the other. In this case, a person presents his or her values through their words, but then acts in an entirely different way. This could reveal a great disconnect between one’s “proclaimed” values and “practiced” values. But, it could also be that he or she simply did not have the courage or discipline to act according to their values. This is often the kind of a lack of integrity that is characterized by sincerity, yet still destroys trust.
For example, a father may sincerely value his family and therefore state to his son, “I’ll be at your soccer game.” However, when he doesn’t show up at the game, he obviously disappoints his son. If the father does not show up consistently after telling his son time-and-again his intentions to be present, he destroys his son’s trust. Even though he may be sincere in his desire and words, his lack of action and follow through is a lack of integrity, and his son even doubts his father’s sincerity about valuing that relationship. Therefore, to have integrity we must be more than sincere. We must actually follow though on what we say and value.
Peter's denial of Christ is an example of action inconsistency. He was sincere in his statement that he would never deny Christ (i.e., his values were consistent with his words), but he did not follow through in action. Though sincere, this kind of inconsistency ruins integrity.
Private Inconsistency
The third form expressing a lack of integrity is called a private or personal inconsistency. This could be characterized as the “political syndrome.” In this case, a person has a particular set of values. However, in an effort to be liked, to advance, or to be elected, he says what others want to hear and does what others want him to do. These insecure motivations cause people to speak and act contrary to their personally held values. In most cases, the motivation is to be accepted, to be promoted or liked, to keep a job, to get one’s way, or other similar motivations.
This kind of a lack of integrity is personal in the sense that it is often private. Others may never find out about it, because on the outside, we look and play the part needed to gain approval. Yet, when we violate our most deeply held values, we often innately know it to be true; and this fact creates a sense of personal regret within and possibly even disrespect toward ourselves.
Pontius Pilate is a great example of this kind of a lack of integrity. Pilate believed and knew that Jesus was innocent, and yet despite knowing within the truth, he pronounced Jesus as guilty and condemned him to death. All for the sake of preserving his political career.
In light of the ways that people lack integrity and the skepticism surrounding it, there are still those who believe in it and seek to express it authentically. They’ve found the true value of this practice, both for themselves personally and for others in their lives.
A few years ago, a car mechanic was asked to search for the cause of irregular noises in my car. We couldn’t figure out what the periodic, dull knocking sound was that was coming from the back of the vehicle. The mechanic inspected it thoroughly and even drove the car around a bit. He then came to me and said, “There are a lot of things that could be the cause of this, but the truth is, I just don’t know. I don’t think it’s serious because we’ve looked at everything. I suggest you wait until you hear it again and then bring it immediately to us. That will save you some time and money.” Well, this gained trust with me, and the next time the car needed something, I took it back to him. Over the years he’s told the truth about what was needed and what wasn’t. Sometimes saying “You don’t need to really spend your money on this. It will be fine for now.” Knowing that he would tell me the truth, even when it wasn’t beneficial to him, earned my trust. He has a sign at his shop that says, “We value the customer and will do our best to save them time and money.” I’ve taken our family vehicles to him for many years now, and have always had confidence that I am making the right decision.
Integrity then is a sort of “first principle” for all of us in Christ. It earns the respect and credibility necessary to influence others for Christ. It also allows for a private and personal power to dwell within that brings confidence to living, and a sense that we are being true to ourselves, and the God we serve.
“Scorecard.” Sports Illustrated. Edited by Craig
Neff. Accessed 11 October 2010 at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068563/3/index.htm
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