THE MEANING OF INTEGRITY.

The Hebrew terms relating to integrity have the root meaning of that which is "complete" or "whole."
But mainly it describes unswerving devotion to righteousness.
The first human couple were given the opportunity to manifest integrity in the Garden of Eden. The restriction regarding the tree of knowledge put to the test their devotion to righteousness. Under the pressure of temptation from God's adversary and his appeal to selfishness, they gave way to sin. Their shame, their reluctance to face God and their lack of candor in responding to His questions all gave evidence of their lack of Integrity.
When Satan's rebellion occurred, it produced an issue of universal importance -that of the Rightfulness of God's sovereignty over all His creatures, His right to require full obedience of them.
Psalm 119 says: -Determination to Obey the Law of the Lord: "I lie defeated in the dust, revive me, as You have promised. I confessed all I have done, and You answered me; teach me Your Ways. Help me to understand Your Laws and I will meditate on Your wonderful teachings. I am overcome by sorrow; strengthen me, as You have promised. Keep me from going the wrong way, and in Your goodness teach me Your Law. I have chosen to be obedient; I have paid attention to Your Judgments. I have followed Your Instructions, Lord; don't let me be put to shame. I will eagerly obey Your Commands, because You will give me more understanding. (25-32)
Since the issue with Satan was not one of superiority of power but, rather, a moral issue, it could not be settled merely by the exercise of power, as by God's immediately crushing Satan and the human couple out of existence. This fact is an important aid to understanding why Wickedness and its author, Satan, have been allowed to continue so long.
Since God's adversary first drew upon humans for support and endorsement of his rebel course, this made the question of man's integrity to God's sovereign Will an essential part of the overall issue. Proof of this is seen in the case of Job.
Satan's challenging statements in Job's case show he held the position that all persons could be drawn away from God's side, as it occurred in the story of David and Bathsheba, that none served out of a purely unselfish motive.
Proverbs 11 says: 1-The Lord hates people who use dishonest scales. He is happy with honest weights.
3-If you are good, you are guided by Honesty. People who can't be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty. 4-Riches will do you no good on the Day you face Death, but Honesty can save your life.
5-Honesty makes a good person's life easier, but the wicked will cause their own downfall. 7-When the wicked die, their hope dies with them. 6-Righteousness rescues those who are honest, but those who can't be trusted are trapped by their own greed. 8-The righteous are protected from trouble; it comes to the wicked instead. 9-You can be ruined by the talk of godless people, but the Wisdom of the righteous can save you. 11-A city becomes great when the righteous give it their blessing; but a city is brought to ruin by the words of the wicked. 13-No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put Confidence in someone who is Trustworthy. 12-It is foolish to speak scornfully of others.16-A gracious
woman is respected, but a woman without virtue is a disgrace. 18-Wicked people do not really gain anything, but if you do what is right, you are certain to be rewarded. 19-Anyone who is determined to do right will live, but anyone who insists on doing wrong will die.
Since all men are imperfect and unable to measure up perfectly to God's standards, it is evident that the integrity of man does not mean perfection of action or speech. Rather, the Scripture shows that the spirit of integrity means wholeness or completeness of heart devotion.
David committed several serious wrongs, but he, nevertheless, "walked with integrity of heart," for he accepted reproof and corrected his way (1 King 9). David thereby proved that his heart still retained genuine love for God's ways (Psalms 26). As David later told his son Solomon: "Know the God of your father and serve Him with a complete heart and with a delightful soul; for all hearts God is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts He is discerning."
Integrity is therefore not restricted to any one aspect of human conduct; it does not apply just to matters defined as "religious." To serve God is a way of life in which the individual walks constantly searching to know God's Will (Psalms 119).
One "proves himself faultless" before God over a period of time, as did Noah, Abraham, David and others (Genesis 6; 17; 2 Samuel 22).
Integrity requires uncompromising Loyalty to God and adherence to Righteousness, not merely under favorable conditions or circumstances, but under all conditions and at all time.