Havin’ Integrity When Nobody’s Lookin’
All righty now, friend, come on up here on this here front porch an’ settle yourself into this creaky ol’ rocker that sounds like a cranky ol’ cricket every time it moves. Let the breeze brush past you like it’s tryin’ to whisper a sweet reminder from heaven. Sometimes you git to needin’ a real quiet place outdoors to talk ‘bout somethin’ that runs deeper than a well that’s been drawin’ water since ‘a-fore your great granddaddy was born. Genesis 39:6-9 tells us Joseph was real handsome, well built, and sho’-nuff’ mindin’ his own business when Potiphar’s wife came slitherin’ ‘round like a sly fox eyein’ the henhouse. She said, “Come and sleep with me,” but Joseph done stood his ground. He said, “How could I do such a wicked thing? It’d be a great sin against God.” Now friend, that right there’s integrity with its steel-toed boots on, and it’s exactly what Proverbs 10:9 means when it says, “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.” Joseph walked uprightly, and that’s why he stood steady when temptation came stormin’ in like a summer wind twister.
Joseph had every excuse the world might accept. Nobody would’ve gone in an’ reported him. He was second in command. She was willin’. And refusin’ her could’ve landed him in more trouble than a lil’ ol’ onery goat stuck in a fence. But Joseph wasn’t guided by convenience. He was guided by conviction. He knew Potiphar trusted him, and he wasn’t ‘bout to go betrayin’ that there ttrust. But even more than that, Joseph saw sin for what it really was. Not just a wrong against people, but a deep, painful wound that went against God Himself. Joseph understood that upright walkin’ keeps your feet steady, but crooked choices will trip you up every time.
And, friend, we’re livin’ in an ol’ world today that has the moral backbone of an ol’ wet noodle. Folks call wrong things right, and they call right things wrong, an’ half the time they even go to clappin’ for an’ celebratin’ the very things God calls sin. But the Lord hasn’t changed His standards one lil’ ol’ bit. He’s done called us to follow Him, and whatever He calls us to, He sho’-nuff’ empowers us to do. He gives us His word to guide us and His Holy Spirit to strengthen us. Yes, we git to stumblin’, but when we repent, He forgives us and gives us grace to stand even taller the next time.
So, you gotta be choosin’ today just how you’re gonna’ be livin’. Choose the high road. Choose the narrow path. Choose the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, an’ self‑control. These just ain’t no personality traits you try to squeeze out like juice from a stubborn lemon. Why, they’re the natural evidence of the Holy Spirit livin’ inside a believer. When He’s in charge, these fruits start showin’ up like tomatoes on a summer vine. When you do these things, you won’t be fulfillin’ the desires of the flesh. You’ll be walkin’ like Joseph, real steady and real faithful, even when temptation comes struttin’ right on in like an ol’ smart‑alec rooster that thinks he owns the whole barnyard.
Father, help me to be livin’ out the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. Help me make the right choices today, just like Joseph did in his time. Give me strength to take the high road and trust You with the outcome. Guide me and help me live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, now, glory be, friend, as you ease yourself off this porch an’ step past that nosy ol’ barn cat starin’ at you like it thinks it knows your business, remember that integrity ain’t built in crowds. It’s done built in those real quiet moments when nobody’s watchin’ but God. Stand firm. Stand faithful. Stand clean. An’ when you do that, even the stillness settlin’ over the fields at dusk might git to feelin’ like heaven is leanin’ in mighty close, whisperin’ that you’re walkin’ the kind o’ holy path God Himself delights in blessin’.
With joy,
Gwen
