"Integrity"? It is almost a forgotten word. It's not used much any more. The meaning is almost forgotten. It is defined as: "Steadfast adherence to a strict moral and ethical code." Synonyms include character, honesty, truthfulness, and principles.

It seems that not much emphasis is placed upon integrity any more. Children used to be taught integrity more than they are now. They were taught the value of having a good name. It used to be that many a business deal was made on a handshake - no written contract was necessary. That is unheard of now. We used to hear such things as: "His word is his bond," or he is "honest as the day is long." We don't hear this much anymore. We don't often hear people praised for their integrity anymore.

Integrity seems no longer demanded or expected. We do not seem to expect honesty and truthfulness anymore. Employers do not expect it of their employees. Employees do not expect it of their employers. Teachers do not expect it of their students. It is not demanded of our elected officials. A lack of integrity is even sometimes found in the church. According to a recent poll the majority of the American people confessed that they had lied before and that they would do it again if it offered them advantage.

In the days of Jeremiah, integrity had become so scarce that not even one man could be found in the whole city of Jerusalem that was honest and truthful. (Jer. 5:1) It was just as bad in the days of Ezekiel for he wrote this message from God: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but found none." (Ezek. 22:30) Even Abraham failed the integrity test when he told Pharaoh that Sarah was not his wife but his sister. Isaac later followed his example by lying to Abimelech about his beautiful Rebecca. Both men lied because they were afraid. Their integrity was tested and so is ours. Every day it is tested. How well has it stood the test? The New Year is a good time for self-evaluation. This should always include a check on our integrity. Has a once good name lost some of its luster? How honest and truthful are we to family and friends? In business or social life? To God? Be honest now. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your integrity?