Living with integrity
“If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. ~ Exodus 22:73
Have you ever been in a situation where someone trusted you with something valuable? Maybe it was money, a secret, or even their confidence. When someone places trust in you, it is both an honor and a responsibility. Exodus 22 is a chapter filled with laws about responsibility, honesty, and restitution. It reminds me that integrity is not just about doing what is right when others are watching, but even more about doing what is right when no one else would ever know.
I remember a time when I borrowed something from a friend and accidentally damaged it. My first thought was to quietly replace it and hope they never found out, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, I knew I had to be honest. When I told my friend the truth, I was surprised by their grace, but even more than that, I felt a deep sense of peace. I learned that walking in integrity keeps my heart clean before God and protects my relationships from hidden guilt or shame.
In Exodus 22, God’s instructions are not just about property or repayment. They teach that accountability and honesty are vital parts of living of kingdom of heaven living. When I choose to live with integrity, I am honoring God and showing that I can be trusted with more. God blesses those who walk in truth and keep their word, even when it costs them something.
Here are some ways you can step up your integrity:
- Be honest in all things, even the small ones, because small acts of integrity build strong character.
- If you have wronged someone, take responsibility and make it right as quickly as possible.
- Keep your word, even when it is inconvenient, and let your yes mean yes. Let those around know that when you commit to something, you will do everything in your power to see it through.
- Ask God to help you see integrity as a way to honor Him and not just a moral standard.
- Look for ways to be trustworthy in your work, relationships, and finances.
- Thank God daily for His forgiveness and ask for His strength to walk in truth.
Today I want to encourage you to live each day with integrity before God and others. Integrity is one of the greatest signs of spiritual maturity because it reveals a heart that desires to please God above all else. When you walk in honesty and truth, you invite God’s favor into your life. He will protect your name, bless your efforts, and use your example to touch others. Even when it costs something, remember that God always honors those who honor Him. Choose today to live in truth, and you will find peace, strength, and joy that no circumstance can take away.
Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 22
1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.
3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7 “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
8 If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor’s goods.
9 “For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it,
11 then an oath of the Lord shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good.
12 But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.
13 If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.
14 “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good.
15 If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.
16 “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife.
17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.
18 “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19 “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
21 “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.
26 If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.
27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
30 Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.
31 “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
Journal:
- Is there any area in my life where I have not been completely honest?
- What does integrity look like in my relationships and responsibilities?
- How can I make things right where trust has been broken?
- What steps can I take to make honesty a daily habit in my walk with God?
The Daily Dose 