Defining integrity

Defining IntegrityHave you ever tried to explain to someone, especially a child, what integrity means? It turns out to be not so easy. The dictionary definition also seems less clear than it might...Integrity:The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.There is somehow more to it than that. The word has its origins in the idea of wholeness and completeness but even that fails to convey what we understand when the word is used.Somehow it's far easier to define what integrity is NOT! Take this verse from the Bible for example…"You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10Certainly not describing someone with integrity!My understanding of integrity is that it is a practical demonstration of belief and honesty. Not only does someone with integrity speak the truth and believe the right things but their actions match their words and beliefs.Someone with integrity will:Do what they say they will.Act in a way consistent with their beliefs.Be predictable in decision making because their decisions are based on their moral and ethical standards.Demonstrate a straightforward unswerving path that is good, clear, clean and true.Perhaps, “wholeness and completeness of thought, word and action based on a strong ethical moral code” might help the definition?In any case, well defined or not, we can agree that integrity is something well worth striving towards and people who have it are respected, trusted and revered.