As women living in the twenty-first century, we struggle with things our counterparts from earlier generations never even dreamed of. Things like how to be a woman of integrity when it seems easier not to, balancing our work and home lives and finding the right blend of connecting with people on social media without getting sucked into a rabbit hole.

As Christian women, integrity becomes a watchword that drives our interaction in several arenas—home, work, church, and even as we snatch a few much-needed moments to unwind and relax. But how do we become women of integrity in the twenty-first century?

What is Integrity?

Let us first define what is meant by integrity. In the simplest terms, integrity is honesty but it’s so much more than that. It’s the way we live by our moral code; it’s doing the right thing consistently. It’s a practice. A habit. A way of life. It’s the way we can be counted on to do the right thing by the people who know us—regardless of the consequences.

Christian Integrity

Christian Integrity takes it a step further. It’s doing the right thing according to the Word of God. It’s choosing to follow Christ even when it hurts, when we lose our jobs, when our friends walk away…It’s choosing to put our imperfect feet in the footprints of our perfect Saviour.

Christian integrity is a moral code built not on what the world tells us or what we believe, but on what the Bible says.

Why Integrity Matters

As I pondered the reason our integrity matters, I remembered a “Would you rather…?” question I had heard many years ago:

Which is worse, to live your life like there’s a God then die and realize there isn’t, or to live like there’s no God then die and realize there is?

The case for integrity is a bit like that—we have so much to gain by living a life built on the foundation of God’s Word and so much to lose by doing otherwise. From a worldly perspective, a woman of integrity gains the honour and respect of her peers (in most cases anyway). She treats people with the respect she would want to receive, and the people who spend time in her presence are better for it even if they don’t admit it or wished it could be otherwise.

The Link Between Integrity, Character, and Holiness

From a biblical perspective, the meaning of integrity deepens and expands. Integrity has a lot to do with the character we develop. As we choose to do what is right, we become better people. We become people who walk uprightly. The Bible has a lot to say about people who walk uprightly:

God protects those who have integrity. He wraps Himself around them like a shield and gives them wisdom so they can continue to walk with integrity.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11 NKJV).

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (Proverbs 2:7 NKJV).

God, Himself has integrity. And as people created in His image, we ought to be the same.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV).

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way (Psalm 25:8 NKJV).

Our integrity acts as a guide. What would we do if we didn’t have a standard against which we could gauge our actions? What if we didn’t have the foundation of God’s Word? How often would we change our behaviour to match what we think is right?

The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them (Proverbs 11:3).

As we practice walking with integrity, we develop a kind of holiness. Not the kind that says “I’m better than you so you better stay away from me” but the kind that says “I’m doing my best to be holy because I serve a God who is”.

How to Be a Woman of Integrity at Home

Becoming a woman of integrity starts at home. It begins when we are children and strengthens as we get older. Now for some of us, we didn’t have much integrity when we were young, but that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause for us. We can become women of integrity in our homes when we teach our children about God. As we learn new truths from the Bible, we share them with our spouses and children; we incorporate the lessons in our daily life.

We model for our children how to honor our parents and treat them with respect.

How to Be a Woman of Integrity in the Workplace

The first time I heard someone comment that Christians make the worst employees, I was offended. Until I started thinking about it. I’ve worked with Christians who came to work late more often than not, abused company resources and refused to do the job they were employed to do. Yet, they spent the day talking about how wonderful God is and singing hymns and spiritual songs.

Now I’m not saying Christians should be perfect people, but we should act with integrity at all times.  We should be the women who are known for treating their jobs with respect. Be the woman whose employers wish they could mass produce. Be an example to other women in the workplace. We want to walk uprightly and be a good witness to the God we serve.

How to Be a Woman of Integrity in Ministry

There have been a number of stories lately about people who used their position in God’s church to abuse or take advantage of persons. Those stories emphasize the importance of integrity in ministry. We are called to serve God as He served us. So let’s make him proud, shall we? Let’s take steps to develop our integrity as outlined in Scripture:

• Take care of the poor and needy Leviticus 19:9-10, 1 John 3:17-18.
• Treat the disabled with respect Leviticus 19:14, Luke 14:12-13.
• Be impartial in judgements applying the same standards to all people whether they are rich or poor  James 2:9, Deuteronomy 1:17.
• Don’t bear tales or do things to cause harm to others Exodus 23:1, 2 Corinthians 12:20.
• Don’t bear grudges Ephesians 4:31-32, Proverbs 10:12.
• Love our neighbours as we love ourselves Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:18.
• Honour and respect the elderly Leviticus 19:32, 1 Peter 5:5.
• Treat each other with affection and brotherly love Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 1:22.
• Be at peace with all men Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14.

How to Be a Woman of Integrity at Play

Let’s face it: there are some things we can’t do when we choose to walk with Christ. But let’s not make it into a burden. Instead, let’s celebrate all the things we can do while still being a good witness. As women of integrity, we need to remember that there’s always someone watching. Sometimes it’s another woman who will one day follow the example that we set. Whatever we’re doing, let’s seek to make our Heavenly Father proud.

Woman of Integrity

In case you still don’t think you’re a woman of integrity or if you sometimes struggle with the label because you don’t want to appear vain. Let me tell you who a woman of integrity is.

She’s the person who speaks the truth when it would have been easier to lie.

She’s the woman who can be trusted with the company’s accounts or another person’s money bag because she won’t take a cent despite the fact that there’s no food in her house.

She’s the woman you know who can be counted on to do the right thing even when it hurts.

She’s the woman who studies God’s Word and strives towards His mark of holiness impossible though it may seem. She’s me. She’s you.

So what do you say, girlfriend? Let’s live like women of integrity in every sphere of our lives.