Ang namumuhay nang tapat ay pinaghaharian ng kapayapaan, ngunit ang may likong landas ay malalantad balang araw.

Mga Kawikaan 10:9

Integrity ang isa sa mga bagay na hindi automatic sa atin.

The word integrity comes from the Latin word “integritas,” meaning wholeness or completeness. A person with integrity is someone honest and morally upright even when no one is looking.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines integrity as “firm adherence to a code of moral values” and “being honest and having strong moral principles.” In short, kapag may integrity ang isang tao buo ang kanyang loob, tapat siya sa kanyang gawa, at hindi doble kara ang lifestyle.

Ang sabi sa Bible, “Ang namumuhay nang tapat ay pinaghaharian ng kapayapaan…” Wow, napakagandang assurance nito! There is peace and confidence when we live with integrity. Hindi ba ang sarap sa pakiramdam na hindi ka kabado at hindi ka laging nagtatago? We walk securely because we know we’ve done the right thing before God and others. Masarap sa pakiramdam ‘yung nakakatulog ka nang mahimbing sa gabi dahil nagsasabi ka ng totoo at ginagawa mo ang tama, kahit hindi sang-ayon ang iba.

Pero hindi dito natatapos ang verse. Magandang reminder din ang warning na kasunod, “ngunit ang may likong landas ay malalantad balang araw.” Sooner or later, kahit pa pilit itago, lalabas din ang katotohanan. That’s why it’s so important to choose integrity, even when it’s hard to do.

Buti na lang, the best model of integrity is our Lord Jesus Christ. He lived a blameless life, no lies, no hidden motives, no pretensions. And as followers of Christ, we are called to be like Him, to reflect Him in our words, actions, and decisions.

Today, with God’s help, choose to do small acts of integrity: tell the truth, admit a mistake, honor a promise you made, o kahit magbalik ng sobrang  sukli. Be the same person in private as you are in public.