What does it mean to have integrity?
When we talk about a man or woman of integrity, we usually mean someone morally consistent. Integrity is the resolve to always do the right thing at all costs.
Jesus was a man of integrity. To be Christian is to follow the example of Christ.
God gives us integrity. It’s the seed of goodness in people that each person needs to cultivate.
When we truly have it, no temptation can break it. A person with integrity can’t be compromised because it’s a part of their being.
Read on to see what a life of integrity entails.
What Does It Mean To Be A Woman Of Integrity?
To be a woman of integrity means to live each day in an honest and righteous way.
Integrity comes from the heart. It takes consistency in thoughts, decisions, and actions to build a life of integrity – consistency in choosing to do what’s right every day.
A woman like this is morally incorruptible because her integrity gives her resiliency against corruption.
That isn’t to say that it isn’t challenging – it takes great strength and conviction to decide to do good at any cost every day.
The temptation to walk the easy path is great, yet she resists it because she couldn’t live with herself otherwise.
What Are The Qualities Of A Woman Of Integrity? 12 Principles
A woman of integrity lives life guided by her principles. We’re going to examine them one by one, but all of them come down to always doing the right thing.
Good character and a good life don’t just happen. They are built by adhering to the standards and values that fit a moral code consistently and consciously.
Being a wholesome person is a never-ending task.
Let’s take a look at some examples of what a life of integrity is in practice.
1. Selflessness
A woman of integrity is most fulfilled when she can do something for others. Her focus is on other people’s needs – she’s generous with her love, time, and resources.
Helping others and making their lives better give her happiness. She often puts the needs of others above her own.
By going out of her way to help people, her compassion and charity are expressed through actions instead of mere words.
Her everyday selfless acts show her dedication to making the world a better place.
2. Responsibility
We have a responsibility for things we can control. She understands this and takes personal, social, and professional responsibility seriously.
She performs her duties with diligence and effort. Working on social issues is something she considers her obligation.
Her resources and abilities are used to do good things. She’s aware that her behavior has an impact on the world around her.
For instance, she wants to set a good example for other women. In her actions, she considers a young woman who might be inspired by her life of integrity.
3. Accountability
If you ever found out and there were no consequences, would you do something that isn’t right? Our character shows what we do when no one but God is looking.
A woman of integrity doesn’t follow principles out of fear of punishment but because of her character. Her moral imperative is her will to do right.
She takes accountability for her success and her failures because they come from her actions. She doesn’t blame other people, luck, or circumstances for things under her control.
To make mistakes is human. She admits her mistakes, apologizes, learns from them, and seeks forgiveness.
4. Forgiveness
As a Christian woman, she understands that forgiveness brings freedom. It releases us from anger and bitterness and gives us peace.
To be forgiven, we must forgive others.
To forgive, we must face what happened and accept that it hurt us. We must make a choice to forgive and not just wait to feel it.
She makes conscious decisions to release feelings of resentment for someone who has done her wrong.
As someone who lets things go and doesn’t hold grudges, she’s the first to offer forgiveness and look for reconciliation.
5. Patience
Because she’s a follower of the word of God, she’s influenced by God’s own patience with humankind which inspires her to show mercy and restraint.
With her sense of understanding, she knows that people have their reasons for their actions, and she doesn’t judge. She shows lenience to those who test her.
Frustrating situations can lead to anger, but she has control over her reactions. Anger comes slowly to her, and she’s careful to manage it.
A strong moral foundation and being surrounded by support give her the strength to bear her burdens and endure.
6. Humility
A woman with integrity isn’t self-righteous.
Her virtuous life is something that comes from a feeling that she must do right. It’s inner peace and not recognition that she’s looking for.
God’s opinion is above everyone else’s for her. She strives to let go of her ego. Her self-confidence doesn’t make her prideful.
By acknowledging that she isn’t always right, she apologizes when she’s wrong and listens to what people say. She gives credit where credit is due and doesn’t take other people’s glory.
This woman is grateful, and her conscience is clear.
7. Kindness
Integrity supports doing good. Welcoming it into your life means that you’re always helping other people.
She follows Jesus’ example and loves everyone. Her love shows through her good deeds.
Kindness goes a long way in making people live better lives. A woman with integrity is generous and friendly and always has a kind word.
Making someone feel relieved or putting a smile on their face is its own reward. She feels joy when she knows that she has improved someone’s life in whatever small or big way.
8. Respect
A woman who lives her life always doing the right thing values other people and shows them respect.
She accepts people for who they are and treats them with care. She respects other people’s feelings, boundaries, and choices.
Always polite and attentive, this woman is a good listener. She’s considerate and shows appreciation.
She has good manners, and her way of expressing herself is through positivity.
9. Honesty
She tells the truth at all costs. She has the courage to say “no.”
Sometimes we tell little white lies to keep the peace or to make people feel better about themselves.
But when people become aware of this, it breaks their trust and makes them wonder what else we’ve been lying about.
What a woman with integrity does instead is help them. A false sense of comfort is temporary, but support and acceptance stay.
10. Trustworthiness
Her unquestionable moral values make her above reproach. People who know her, know that they can count on her and trust her with anything.
This woman is honorable, reliable, and keeps her word. When she promises something, she does as she says.
She’s the kind of person people can put their children, their valuables, and their secrets into her hands and have faith that she’ll take care of them.
11. Compassion
She has faith in people. She tries to see the good in everyone and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. She always has people’s feelings in mind.
Even when someone acts in a way that’s less than good, she understands that we don’t know what problems they may have in their personal lives that make them do it.
Understanding and empathy are important to her, but she also takes action. When other people are in pain, she does all she can to help.
12. Authenticity
She’s always genuinely herself. Her moral compass guides her, and she has conviction in her beliefs. She’s true to herself even under pressure and expectations not to be.
A woman of integrity is honest about her opinions and communicates them in a sincere way. This doesn’t mean that she’s cruel or unkind – she accepts people and shows goodwill but doesn’t hide herself.
Having integrity means that doing the right thing is absolute and having authenticity means that her decisions and choices are in line with her values.
What Does The Bible Say About Integrity? 15 Verses
Jesus Christ was a man of integrity. Nothing could tempt him away from his mission of saving those who were lost and spreading the Word of God.
The importance of integrity in the Bible is great. Many examples and verses speak of consistency, honesty, and moral uprightness.
Let’s read some of them:
1. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” — Proverbs 10:9
2. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” — Proverbs 11:3
3. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” — Proverbs 12:22
4. “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” – Proverbs 21:3
5. “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” – Proverbs 28:6
6. “The righteous who walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him!” – Proverbs 20:7
7. “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” – Peter 3:13–16
8. “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5
9. “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2
10. “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” – Hebrews 13:18
11. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10
12. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” – Titus 2:7
13. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
14. “May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.” – Psalm 25:21
15. “By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.” — Psalm 41:11–12
On A Final Note
Everything we’ve talked about so far, all of the principles we mentioned, can be applied to our own lives. Thinking about them can inspire us to live a life of integrity.
Being a good person is to choose to do good not because you must, but because you can’t imagine doing otherwise.
The only way to achieve this is to choose it every day. A woman of integrity is consistent in her efforts to live with honor and uprightness.