WF Pride

Integrity

Chad Cottingham

It was 1998 and there stood President Bill Clinton in front of the TV cameras declaring “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” Months and millions of dollars later, the 42nd President of the United States was impeached by the House of Representatives on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice. The leader of the free world, our president, had lied to all of us. This was just the beginning.

This incident is no longer in isolation. There is a lack of integrity permeating our society. The absence of personal responsibility, honesty and fairness has created a lack of trust in our society. We don’t trust our politicians, our bankers, our teachers, etc… What is it? What has caused the change? Is there anything we can do about it? Think about the following statement: Trust is difficult to earn, easy to lose, and even more difficult to regain.

One reason has become that we look to and rely too much on people. People will fail. People will lie, steal and cheat. People are sinful by nature, and, as a result, fail miserably. Jesus Christ never will. He was the only perfect man to ever live and walk the earth. When you become disheartened at all the sin and corruption around you, look up, to the One who is in control. The bible provides the baseline for truth: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

“Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to look to you rather than men. You never change and your love never fails. Help us to speak the truth in all we say and do. Help us to be men and women of integrity. Help us to model our lives after You! ~ Amen”