Leading With Integrity

Psalm 15 reveals a moment when King David resolved to embrace the meaning of real integrity at a deeper level than ever before. At the time, David wrestled with his own storm. Reputable scholars believe he penned this psalm while in exile, after a painful political coup led by his embittered son Absalom (2 Samuel 15-17). In the midst of this incredible turmoil, he penned these words:

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved (Psalm 15 NKJV).

This passage has become the paramount picture of integrity for my own life. As he wrote, David pondered the marks of a spiritually authentic God-follower. The Spirit inspired a practical list of the marks of a leader who will "never be moved" (v. 5).

Psalm 15 neatly breaks down into descriptions of personal integrity, interpersonal integrity, and financial integrity.


Personal Integrity

The first words on the parchment provide a powerful definition of personal integrity: "He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart" (v. 2). Notice the outward to inward flow. Outwardly, he is upright or blameless; he "walks with integrity" (NASB). This is a lifestyle where the pieces fit together and there is no apparent breach of honor or holy living that would bring blame against his life.

Moving inward, the psalm explains that an upright life is composed of righteous works. This is the person who always seeks to do the right thing. Of course, we know that the only way this can ultimately occur is through the power of a new nature and righteous heart made possible by the grace of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

At the core of this life is a love for truth that results in self-honesty. It says he "speaks the truth in his heart" (v. 2). This inner reality is also reflected in David's great confessional prayer in Psalm 51, where he writes, "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom" (51:6). After months of covering up his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, David came to understand the power and freedom of an honest heart before God.

Personal integrity, then, begins with truth at the core of our being. This produces right living, which comprises a lifestyle of integrity. In the vortex of his profound and complex crisis, David was inspired to come back to issues of the heart with this clarity and precision.


Interpersonal Integrity

Most of the psalms deal with relationships. No doubt, a lot of relationships had gone bad, which fueled the current crisis. David's relationship with Absalom had been strained for years. Absalom "stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:6). The whole situation was marked by lies, betrayal, double crossing, anger, and mistrust. A dose of definition was desperately needed if David was going to embrace integrity in the midst of the chaos. Five aspects of relational integrity appear in verses 3-4 of Psalm 15.

1. Relational integrity is evidenced in what we say about others. God's answer to David's question in v. 1 began with this important truth: "He who does not backbite with his tongue." This is the idea of someone who walks along with slander or gossip on his lips. It's the old idea of a talebearer. This person inflicts harm on others through unkind, unnecessary, and often untrue statements—usually flowing from a heart that is filled with untruth. The New Testament equivalent is the word diabolos, which is also a name for the devil and gives strong indication of the nature and evil of a backbiting tongue.

2. Relational integrity is evidenced in what we do to others. Verse 3b reads, "Nor does evil to his neighbor." Romans 12:17 is the best commentary on this idea: "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men." After a discussion about those who are at enmity with us, verse 21 reiterates, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Bitterness, revenge, and payback are tempting reactions in the midst of a leadership storm. I can only imagine the emotions David must have battled in this arena, given all the betrayal and pain. God reminded David, as He reminds us, that having good intentions is the right response to bad situations that have delivered a dose of hurt and disloyalty to our lives. Beware; even the best leaders can hit a sudden and deadly tailspin when they allow bitterness and quiet revenge to take root in their hearts.

3. Relational integrity is evidenced by what we receive about others. Verse 3c adds, "Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend." It's been said, "You may be lord of your tongue, but I am also master of my ears." In our modern-day free-for-all of information and juicy tidbits about almost anyone, we are still responsible for what we hear and embrace.

Integrity refuses to give attention to the latest blather about people, and refuses to believe anything negative about another person unless the evidence of multiple witnesses confirms it. In David's situation, much had been said and heard by the disloyal Israelites. God fixed David's attention, not on others, but on his own gauge of integrity and how he would respond to the latest "word on the street."

4. Relational integrity is evidenced by how we associate with others. The text reads, "In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord" (v. 4). Too many times, we compromise integrity in whom we honor, elevate, and pay attention to—based on their personal popularity, financial status, or influence in a given situation. David learned that integrity "calls it as it is" based on God's assessment, not man's.

A person of real integrity works hard at bestowing honor on people simply because they fear the Lord, regardless of whether or not they can do anything for us. In our scramble to network, climb the ladder, acquire endorsements, and connect with the latest and coolest, we can walk very close to the edge of compromise in this regard.

Verse 4 also carries a warning about the kind of entertainment we delight in. "Honor" involves the allocation of our time, our attention, our words, and our money. Too many believers guzzle down whatever is being dished out in the latest Hollywood feeding fest, without the discernment this verse demands. This pattern in our lives can begin to redefine our values if we're not careful. In that slow redefinition, integrity is lost, and the leadership flight veers off course.

5. Relational integrity is evidenced by the reliability of our words. Verse 4c says, "He who swears to his own hurt and does not change." This is the issue of what we commit to others. Obviously, Jesus nailed this issue when He spoke to the incredulous Pharisees of His day, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (Matt. 5:37). The apostle James also warns against superficial swearing, lest we "fall into judgment" (James 5:12).

This is strong medicine when it says that an inability to keep one's word is the work of the Evil One and brings judgment on a person. But, by God's definition of integrity, a leader must say what he means and mean what he says—even if fidelity to one's word inflicts pain or loss.

In a world of unprecedented compromise, where the rules of a situation change based on convenience or personal gain, this definition of integrity shouts with relevance. Again, David's current mess had been intensified by broken promises and redefined loyalties. God issues a clear word about credible words.


Five Marks of Interpersonal Integrity

Interpersonal integrity, also known as relational integrity, reveals our attitudes and behavior toward the people we meet. Here are five marks of healthy interpersonal integrity:

1. Healthy speech. When we are away from a person, we speak well of the individual. There is no slander or gossip.

2. Good deeds. We display good behavior to individuals, even when their actions show indifference or hostility toward us. Instead of feeling bitter or wanting to pay back a perceived (or even real) injustice, we show them respect and treat them with kind deeds.

3. Attuned ears. We are selective in what we listen to about others. If someone would complain or gossip about another, we refuse to believe anything negative about the person (unless the evidence of multiple witnesses confirms it).

4. Proper evaluation. We ignore people's evaluations of those we know, and seek to understand God's right evaluation, thus honoring those who honor God, even if they can do nothing for us or are not popular.

5. Reliable words. People can count on our word as being reliable; our statements reflect a commitment to the truth (see Matt. 5:37).

Financial Integrity

In our "show me the money" culture, this final clarification of the integrity gauge is essential. The text says, "He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent" (v. 5). Charging interest was not a problem when Israel was dealing with other nations, but it was greedy and hurtful when interacting with a fellow Israelite (Deut. 23:19-20).

The only time a fellow Israelite needed to borrow in those days was during a situation of destitution, when he lacked basic food, clothing, or housing. Integrity demands a generous and giving heart that is motivated to help and bless others in need. Charging monetary interest would poison the heart and the relationship, because it involved greed and a willingness to hurt someone else, just to make another buck.

Equally lacking in integrity was the person who would accept a bribe. While charging interest involves the outflow of personal funds, bribery is connected to the inflow of money. In all likelihood, Israel's current crisis had been fueled by various forms of bribery. To do something hurtful toward others because of "what's in it for me" is wrong and signals a breach of integrity.


The Promise

The leader who watches the integrity gauge finds blessings: He will not be moved. The situation was looking pretty bleak for David as the entire army of Israel, under Absalom's embittered leadership, was coming after his head. Yet he embraced the Spirit's promise: "He who does these things shall never be moved."

Obviously, the promise does not imply a problem-free life. This is literally the assurance that we will never be overcome by insecurity, fear, or internal self-destruction. Psalm 15-type intimacy with God and related integrity produces well-being and hope, in spite of the circumstances.

This is the same assurance Jesus promised: "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock" (Matt. 7:24-25 nlt).


Excerpted from Defying Gravity by Daniel Henderson, copyright © 2010. Used by permission of Moody Publishers.