Have you noticed that you are not the same person in every life setting? (175-2)

A leader’s integrity is obvious to those who know them. Read Daniel 6:1-5.

Daniel had served faithfully and with integrity as an advisor to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar of Babylon and after the fall of Babylon to King Darius of the Medo-Persian Empire. Darius saw immediately that Daniel was a gifted leader and appointed him as one of the three administrators that ran the nation and protected Darius’ interests. Darius was about to promote Daniel to the chief of the administrators and this generated significant jealousy among the other leaders in Babylon. They determined to find the dirt on Daniel so they could get him out of Darius’ government. Interesting that in verses 4-5 “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” Now that is integrity!

Daniel’s integrity was such that when he had to decide to submit to an ungodly law or stick with his convictions and potentially lose his life, he chose to honor God no matter the risk. Daniel’s actions demonstrated that he steadfastly adhered to the same high moral principles and professional standards that had dominated his life, no matter the cost.

A leader with integrity has the same “life standards” in every life setting, be it work, social or in their home, and is committed to living by those standards. The definition of integrity has elements of being complete and undivided. Leaders with integrity do not say one thing and do another; their words and actions match. Leaders with integrity may be tempted by and even struggle with issues of personal gain and recognition but do not yield to it. Leaders with integrity do not commit moral hypocrisy by doing the right thing for the wrong reason and integral leaders do not violate their integrity by doing something only for the appearance.

Have you noticed that you are not the same person in every life setting? Do your children see a different person than your employees? For the Christian leader, integrity involves living by one standard for the approval of one Judge. When leaders live to please the unchanging, ever-present God, they, like Daniel, will create a reputation of integrity that will be seen by all who observe them.