Integrity Matters

Integrity matters. It should matter more than it does, and it matters more than we often realize. It is not a side issue or a “nice-to-have” quality—it was at the very heart of Jesus’ teaching and character. In a culture where compromise is common and shortcuts are celebrated, integrity stands out like light in the darkness. It is one of the most pressing issues of our day, and one we must give more attention, energy, and prayer to than we currently do.

There are three convictions I hold about integrity:

1. Integrity is when our outside actions reflect our inside affections. It is the alignment of who we are on the inside with how we live on the outside.
2. Integrity is rooted in the heart before it is revealed in behavior. True change is not about behavioral modification but about heart transformation. Our character flows from the posture of our heart.
3. Integrity before God means valuing what He values. To walk with integrity is to love what God loves, to hate what He hates, and to let His truth shape the deepest affections of our lives.

The reality is, all of us have a long way to go when it comes to living with the kind of integrity that pleases God and impacts the world. As I’ve been studying Matthew 15:1-20, I notice Jesus raising probing questions that cut through the surface and help us realign our hearts with His.

Here they are…

1. Does your integrity stand the test of scrutiny?
   A delegation is sent to question Jesus (v.1). Their aim is to discredit Him, to poke holes in His integrity. Yet their accusations fall flat, because Jesus was living in truth. If someone were to look closely into your life—your choices, your finances, your words, your private habits—what would they find?
2. Is your integrity anchored in God’s Word?
   Jesus responds not by defending Himself but by drawing a sharp line between human tradition and God’s truth (v.3). The Pharisees elevated tradition above Scripture, and in doing so lost integrity. For us, integrity must always be built on what God has said, not on cultural expectations or personal preferences.
3. What are your inputs doing to your heart?
   Jesus teaches that defilement doesn’t come from what’s outside, but from what flows from within (vv. 10–11). Integrity requires us to guard our hearts by monitoring what we consume: what we watch, click on, listen to, or read. Every input shapes our inner world—what’s shaping yours?
4. Are you following leaders who know where they’re going?
   Jesus warns that the teaching of the Pharisees would eventually collapse, leaving followers lost and blind (vv. 13–14). Integrity is not just about who you are—it’s also about who you let influence you. Look at the motives of those you follow: are they leading for God’s glory or their own gain?
5. Have you paused to reflect on your level of integrity?
   Peter doesn’t fully understand and asks Jesus for clarification (v.15). This moment matters because later Peter himself would have to confront his own struggles with integrity (Acts 10). Integrity grows through honest reflection and courageous questions. When was the last time you slowed down to examine your own heart?
6. Is your integrity growing stronger?
   Jesus challenges His disciples’ slow understanding (v.16). His words suggest that integrity is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process of growth. Is your integrity maturing? Is it shaping more of your character? Is it becoming less of what you do and more of who you are?

Integrity makes a difference—not just in your reputation with people, but in your relationship with God. It is one of the great currencies of credibility in our world and one of the deepest markers of Christlikeness in our soul.

As you reflect on these questions, don’t rush past them. Answer them honestly. Invite God to show you where your heart needs aligning, and ask Him to shape your inner life until it reflects His truth outwardly.

Live with integrity. It matters—to people, to your purpose, and most of all, to God.