Living Integrity: Aligning Beliefs and Actions

Integrity is not simply about being honest or having strong moral principles; it is about living an undivided life where our inward convictions and outward actions are in complete sync. The story of Cashier Phil, who returned a $273 million lottery ticket, sets the stage for a deeper exploration of what true integrity looks like, especially when no one is watching. In a world where integrity failures are common and often headline news, we are challenged to examine whether our faith and values permeate every area of our lives, or if we have compartmentalized our beliefs, leaving gaps for compromise.

Looking at the lives of Judah and Joseph, two brothers who faced pivotal integrity decisions while alone and away from home, we see a stark contrast. Judah caves to temptation, seeking short-term pleasure and then desperately trying to protect his reputation, even as his integrity crumbles. Joseph, on the other hand, resists temptation, not just out of fear of being caught, but out of a deep conviction that God sees and knows all. Joseph’s integrity costs him dearly in the short run—he loses his position and reputation and is thrown into prison—but ultimately, God uses his faithfulness for a greater purpose.

Integrity is forged in the small, everyday decisions as much as in the big, life-altering ones. A thousand small compromises can lead to a catastrophic failure, while a thousand small acts of faithfulness build a life that is secure and guided by God. The enemy is always looking for integrity gaps to exploit, but we are not left to fight this battle alone. Jesus, the ultimate serpent-crusher, has taken our failures upon himself, offering forgiveness and the power to live differently. No matter how many skeletons we have in our closet, we are invited to bring them into the light, confess, and receive grace. Living with integrity may cost us in the present, but it brings lasting reward and freedom, both now and for eternity.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Integrity is an undivided life, where beliefs and actions are fully integrated. The Old Testament concept of “tome” calls us to let our convictions shape every sphere—public, private, work, and relationships—so that there are no hidden compartments where compromise can take root. This wholeness is the foundation for a life that honors God and withstands temptation. [06:10]
• 2. The true test of integrity comes when no one is watching. It is easy to do the right thing when others are present, but real character is revealed in solitude—on the business trip, behind closed doors, or in the privacy of our thoughts. If our only motivation is fear of being caught, we have missed the heart of integrity, which is living for an audience of One. [18:14]
• 3. Integrity failures often promise immediate pleasure but always carry long-term consequences. Like Judah, we may justify our actions in the moment, but the fallout—shame, broken trust, and hidden guilt—eventually surfaces. Reputation is what others think of us; integrity is who we truly are before God. When we prioritize reputation over integrity, we risk losing both. [22:14]
• 4. Christians with integrity live with the constant awareness that God sees all, knows all, and judges all. This perspective transforms our choices, reminding us that nothing is truly hidden. The challenge is to move from being “Christian atheists”—professing faith but living as if God does not exist—to people whose actions reflect a deep trust in God’s presence and holiness. [32:03]
• 5. Living with integrity may cost us in the short term—reputation, opportunities, or comfort—but it is always worth it in the end. Joseph’s faithfulness led to suffering, but God used it for a greater purpose. Our integrity may not always be rewarded immediately, but it positions us for God’s blessing and allows us to live with a clear conscience and true freedom. [36:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:57] - The Story of Cashier Phil and the Lost Lottery Ticket
• [04:05] - What Would You Do? The Challenge of Integrity
• [04:55] - Integrity in a Culture of Compromise
• [06:10] - The Biblical Meaning of Integrity (“Tome”)
• [08:23] - Judah and Joseph: A Tale of Two Brothers
• [10:41] - Everyday Integrity Decisions
• [13:29] - Small Compromises, Big Consequences
• [16:49] - Alone with Temptation: Judah and Joseph’s Test
• [18:14] - Integrity When No One is Watching
• [21:03] - The Cost and Consequences of Integrity Failure
• [25:41] - Reputation vs. Integrity
• [29:38] - Joseph’s Reasoning and Godward Focus
• [32:03] - Living Before the God Who Sees All
• [34:54] - Integrity’s Cost and Ultimate Reward
• [38:34] - The Enemy Exploits Integrity Gaps
• [40:59] - Jesus: The Serpent-Crusher and Our Hope
• [42:33] - Confession, Grace, and New Life
• [45:14] - Time for Reflection and Prayer
• [48:45] - God’s Redemption of Our Failures
• [51:24] - A Prayer for Integrity and Grace
• [54:21] - Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Genesis 38–39 (ESV) — The stories of Judah and Joseph, two brothers who each face a pivotal test of integrity while alone and away from home.

Proverbs 11:3 (ESV) — “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

1 John 1:9 (ESV) — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 39, what specific reasons does Joseph give for refusing Potiphar’s wife’s advances? What does he say about sinning against God?
2. According to Proverbs 11:3, what is the result of integrity in a person’s life? What is the result of a lack of integrity?
3. In the sermon, what are some of the “small” integrity decisions mentioned that people face in everyday life? ([11:36])
4. How does Judah respond after his integrity failure is exposed, and what is he most concerned about? ([22:14])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the sermon emphasize that the true test of integrity comes when no one is watching? How does this relate to Joseph’s and Judah’s stories? ([18:14])
2. The sermon draws a distinction between reputation and integrity. Why is it dangerous to prioritize reputation over integrity, according to the sermon? ([22:14])
3. What does it mean to live an “undivided life” where beliefs and actions are fully integrated? How does the Old Testament concept of “tome” challenge the way we compartmentalize our faith? ([06:10])
4. The sermon says that “a thousand small compromises can lead to a catastrophic failure.” Why do small decisions matter so much in shaping our character? ([13:29])

Application Questions

1. Think about a recent situation where you had the chance to do the right thing when no one was watching. How did you respond, and what motivated your choice? ([18:14])
2. Are there any “integrity gaps” in your life—areas where your beliefs and actions don’t line up? What is one step you could take this week to close that gap? ([38:34])
3. The sermon mentions that integrity failures often start with small compromises. Can you identify a “small” area where you’re tempted to cut corners? What would it look like to choose faithfulness instead? ([13:29])
4. When you think about your reputation versus your integrity, which one do you find yourself protecting more? Why? How might your life look different if you prioritized integrity over reputation? ([22:14])
5. Joseph’s integrity cost him his reputation and his freedom in the short term, but God used it for a greater purpose. Is there a situation where doing the right thing might cost you something? What would help you trust God with the outcome? ([36:11])
6. The sermon says that Jesus is the “serpent-crusher” who offers forgiveness and a new start. Are there any “skeletons in your closet” that you need to bring into the light and confess? What’s holding you back? ([42:33])
7. What practical boundaries or accountability could you put in place to help you live with greater integrity in your work, relationships, or private life? ([43:59])