How would you describe a person of integrity? There are many well-known examples from Biblical times to the 21st century from which to choose. I chose a woman from the Old Testament and a man of today to model characteristics that a person of integrity reflects.
After the death of the prophet Samuel, David (before he became king) and his men moved near the city of Carmel. David met Nabal, a very rich man who was harsh and did evil in all his doings. (His wife, Abigail, was a beautiful and wise woman.) David sent ten of his men to protect Nabal’s sheepshearers and the sheep from raiders.
Afterwards, David instructed his men to go to Nabal in peace on a feast day and ask for necessary sustenance for his men in return for the protection his men had provided. But the egotistical Nabal refused to give any food or water. When David was told of Nabal’s refusal, David said, “Men, gird on your swords!” And 400 men girded on their swords.
Abigail heard about this and went into action. She packed up meat, bread, wine, raisins and figs and loaded everything on donkeys and she and her servants hurried to meet David. Abigail bowed in respect before David. Her tone was gentle; her words respectful as she said to disregard Nabal and that she would take the blame for Nabal’s reviling actions saying, “On me, my lord, let this iniquity be!” She intervened to hold back David from bloodshed and from taking revenge. She offered all she brought as a gift to David and his men. Then she asked the Lord to bless David that the situation would not bring grief nor offense to him and to bless him that he had not shed blood without a cause nor had taken revenge.
David’s heart was softened and he relented taking revenge saying to Abigail, “Go in peace. I have heeded your voice and respected your person.” Because Abigail was a woman of integrity, tragedy was averted.
My other example of a person of integrity is a man from Hollywood, of all places. Denzel Washington, the movie actor, has a powerful presence on the screen and always commands respect and radiates integrity whether playing the role of a hero or a villain. Denzel is a son of a minister and had wanted to become a preacher himself. He asked his pastor, “Do you think I should become a preacher?” The pastor answered, “Well, that’s what you’re already doing.”
Denzel is a devoted Christian who reads the Bible daily. “Prayer is important. It’s how I start every day and it’s how I end every day,” he says. He uses his films as a way of preaching so he is very careful what roles he plays and the message the movie is sending. “My work has been my ministry,” he says. “Acting is just a way of making a living. The family is life.”
“I’m more than happy to talk about what God has done in my life.”
At the 94th Academy Awards, Denzel Washington said to Will Smith, “At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.”
So, how would you describe a person of integrity from examples of two people of different genders in different centuries? Does choosing honesty in all things, trustworthy, humble, and God-fearing fit in the description? From the first century to the 21st century, integrity always wins!