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Friends United Meeting |
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July/August 2001
Integrity: What Would You Do?
By Gary Fisher
"John, please report to the office," came the broken announcement over the intercom.
As John entered the office, his supervisor, Charlie, motioned him to shut the door and have a seat. "You know our phone system has been on the blink for a long time and it's getting worse and worse," Charlie said. John nodded in agreement. "I think I know of a way to get a new phone system without costing us anything."
"How is that?" John queried.
"Well," Charlie replied, "you remember the storm we had last week with all the lightening?" John nodded. "Since you are in charge of maintenance and know the different systems of the building, I was wondering if you would write a report stating that ever since the storm our phone system hasn't worked right. We could then turn it into the insurance company as a claim, and maybe get a new system, saving us about $20,000. What do you think? It's a pretty good idea, isn't it? So why don't you go ahead and write the report and I'll send it to the insurance company?"
John answered, "You know our phone system hasn't worked right for a long time and I can't really verify the storm made any difference in its performance or..."
"But it isn't really a lie," Charlie interrupted. "It hasn't worked right since the storm and well, you know, we just can't afford to buy a new system. So what do you say? Will you write the report?"
At this, Charlie folded his hands, leaned forward on his desk, staring at John expectantly to see how he would answer. Time stood still for John as he pondered what just happened and what was being asked of him.
Without warning, John finds himself in an undesirable situation, one of consequence, a lose-lose situation. John is being asked to lie to save money for the company he works for, the same company which provides the income to support his family; he is being asked to lie so the insurance company will unjustifiably foot the bill.
"If I don't write the report," John thinks, "I will probably be on the 'black list.' I could lose the standing I have with the company and find myself being ostracized. Or I could even lose my job on some trumped up charges. If my supervisor is willing to lie and deceive, what kind of security does that give me? On the other hand, if I write the report, I will have a guilty conscience to deal with, and more importantly, a rift in my relationship with God."
Time moves slowly as John thinks, aware his supervisor is staring at him, awaiting the answer he wants to hear. Suddenly, in his peripheral vision, John sees something, a silhouette moving just to his right. Although not clear, it seems to be the form of a man, without density. These new eyes look directly at him as the visitor takes a few steps and flowingly sits in a chair John doesn't see. He too leans forward in his seat and folds his hands, looking at John expectantly to see how he will answer.
Turning his eyes to the left, John sees the frozen gaze of his supervisor; turning to the right, he looks into the eyes of the newly arrived guest. The words, "live with integrity," enter his mind. Just a few days before, John had looked up the word integrity in his dictionary--"Rigid adherence to a code or a standard of values."
John's gaze was fixed on the penetrating eyes of his silent companion. John knew the code and standard of values he was to follow were found in God's Word, all the values needed to live a life of righteousness, holiness and faithfulness, a life lived by neither compromising God's commands nor bending them to suit different situations, a life of integrity.
The word "rigid" brought a picture of a person standing straight and strong, unwavering in a very powerful wind, a person with resolve to remain standing no matter the fierceness of the wind, the beating of torrential rain or the injuries from flying debris. A person of integrity with absolute obedience to God, a person who loves Jesus Christ.
As John blinked his eyes, he heard his supervisor impatiently saying, "Well, are you going to or not, John? Are you going to write up the report?"
Quietly standing to his feet, straight and tall, John respectfully said, "Sir, I am unable to write that report."
"Unable?!" Charlie asked incredulously. "What do you mean, unable?"
"Because it would be deceitful and untrue. I cannot knowingly compromise what I believe to be right and true," explained John.
"I just don't get it," said Charlie as he threw his hands into the air. "It's really not that big of a deal. I don't understand why you are not willing to help us all out and get us what we need."
Replying gently but with conviction, John stated, "Sir, the reason is simple. I am a man who tries to live a life of integrity doing what I know to be morally and spiritually right."
"So you won't do it?" Charlie asked arrogantly.
"No sir, I can't," John replied. Shaking his head in disbelief, Charlie rose from his desk in a huff, motioning John to leave.
As John was being excused, he looked over at his almost invisible guest who was also standing and thought he could see him smiling. He knew he had gained divine approval and felt a loving warmth and gentle spirit coming from him as he disappeared.
In spite of potential negative consequences, John had done the right thing. He had been a "man of integrity."
In our lives we are confronted with situations that test our integrity and our allegiance to God. We find ourselves at a crossroads of decision, decisions that will reveal concern for our interests or God's commands. Our response in these situations gives a good indication of the degree or level of our individual integrity.
Personally I have sometimes failed when faced with difficult situations; I know I have made God unhappy as well as myself by making wrong decisions. That is why I am so thankful for forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
However, in those times when I did make the right decision based on God's Word, the standard of values, I know I brought glory to God and pleased Him. And yes, I feel good about myself too, because I made progress in my walk with God.
Jesus is the epitome of integrity. If we study the life of Jesus while He was here on earth we know He loved God with His whole being. He obeyed God completely in every way. He also pleased God in every way even when others tried to trick him.
Even though the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus in His words, what they said is the truth; "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." Mark 12:13-14 NIV
Integrity is the natural result of a life lived in continual obedience to God and is based on our measure and degree of love for God.
To put it in a mathematical equation, it might look like this--
True love for God + faithful obedience = a life of integrity, one decision
at a time.
Copyright (c) 2001 Friends United Meeting
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