Daniel: A Biblical Example of Integrity

Exiled to a foreign country, the prophet Daniel made the most of his new surroundings, remaining faithful and obedient to God. He originally served under King Nebuchadnezzar, and when Darius came to power more than fifty years later, he appointed Daniel as one of only three commissioners ("satraps") over the entire kingdom. The king decided to promote him, planning to make Daniel second-in-command over the empire.

But because the king looked favorably upon him, those envious of Daniel were sure to raise a challenge. As Daniel stood, carefully balanced between unimaginable power and a long fall from on high, he faced two tests that life often brings.

First, Daniel faced the test of prosperity. Prosperous times can yield overwhelming windfalls. Maybe we've received a promotion, earned a degree, or watched our kids make a series of wise decisions. That's wonderful! Just remember, with successes come temptations. Pride can creep subtly into our lives. Or maybe the presence of staying at the top tempts us toward white lies, decent, and cutting corners.

Next, Daniel experienced the test of adversity. What happens when we have very little in our spiritual reserve, when our health fails or tragedy strikes, or when we experience financial trials or relational strife? Will we follow through in spite of difficult times? When adversity backs us into a corner, it forces us back to the simple issues of life: food, clothing, shelter and, most importantly, our faith in God. It is a test of our character.

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DIGGING DEEPER
Authenticity
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When considering the concept of integrity, one of the key characteristics we should keep in mind is authenticity. In their book Boiling Point, statisticians George Barna and Mark Hatch tell us that one of the key facets of American life in the twenty-first century is a drive toward an authentic existence. People want their leaders to reflect the authenticity they desire in themselves. They want what they see to actually reflect the core of those around them. One whiff of falsehood
and people are quickly turned off. This cultural shift gives Christians all the more reason to be who we say we are and to live out our faith with conviction.

~Inspiration from: Character Counts - Building a Life that Pleases God, Charles R. Swindoll