17 Bible Verses About Integrity

Explore the topic of moral integrity in Scripture

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. (Proverbs 20:7, NLT)

Learn Religions / Vin Ganapathy

The Bible has much to say about spiritual integrity, honesty, and living a blameless life. It also speaks of sincerity, loyalty, obedience, character, and maintaining consistency under pressure. These qualities are all prerequisites for Christian leadership. 

The following Scriptures provide a broad sampling of passages dealing with the topic of moral integrity. 

17 Bible Verses About Integrity

God demands our loyalty. He seeks people who put him first above everything and everyone else in their life:

To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. (2 Samuel 22:26, NLT)

One of the rewards of integrity is pleasing the heart of God. We show our love to God through obedience:

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. (1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT)

God singled out Job as an ideal example of a man of integrity. The Lord cherishes followers like Job who choose him and stick with him no matter what:

Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause." (Job 2:3, NLT)

Integrity should be the hallmark of a Christian. Temptation is all around, but God is our rescuer and refuge. We can depend on God to be victorious in this life:

See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:19-21, NLT)

Our integrity does not earn our salvation, but it does bring God's approval. Know the truth and live it:

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites. (Psalm 26:1-4, NLT)

Before Jesus Christ came, followers of God had to look forward to a Savior. They turned to God for redemption:

Don't let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don't condemn me along with murderers.
Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord. (Psalm 26:9-12, NLT)

A person of integrity seeks to follow the Lord's will in everything. Good people don't always win — in this life. But belief in Christ guarantees eternity with God where we will live in his presence forever. 

I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. (Psalm 41:11-12, NIV)

One of the few things we can control is our character. With God's help we can behave wisely and make wise decisions:

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home. (Psalm 101:2, NLT)

Our joy is tied to valuing the instruction of the Lord. The key to integrity is knowing what God expects of us. Ask God to transform your character to that of Christ:

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. (Psalm 119:1, NLT)

The Bible is the best source of wisdom, for it is God's word. The closer we live according to Scripture, the more blessings God will grant us, such as the treasure of common sense:

For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him. (Proverbs 2:6-8, NLT)

Breaking God's law or man's laws brings painful consequences. You don't have to keep looking over your shoulder if you live a principled life:

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall. (Proverbs 10:9, NLT)

Dishonesty is like spiritual leprosy, eating away at the soul. Better to be honest and sleep well at night:

Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. (Proverbs 11:3, NLT)

Children do not learn honesty and integrity from society; they learn it from the example of their parents. Teach the value of a clear conscience:

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. (Proverbs 20:7, NLT)

Riches gained in a dishonest way are filth in the sight of God. Choose things with eternal value instead:

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. (Proverbs 28:6, NLT)

Take the Bible to heart. Cling to it. Live by it. Follow its advice and receive the fruit of God's friendship:

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. (Luke 8:15, NLT)

Passionately desiring God — seeking to know and follow him with all of our hearts — in spite of our sinful nature, is the true purpose of life

But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.' (Acts 13:22, NLT)

Paul taught Titus to lead by setting a good example. Self-control shows spiritual maturity, which manifests God's Spirit in aspects of daily living. A life of humble integrity is above criticism:

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7-8, NIV)
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Fairchild, Mary. "17 Bible Verses About Integrity." Learn Religions, Mar. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/bible-verses-about-integrity-699958. Fairchild, Mary. (2021, March 4). 17 Bible Verses About Integrity. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/bible-verses-about-integrity-699958 Fairchild, Mary. "17 Bible Verses About Integrity." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/bible-verses-about-integrity-699958 (accessed March 29, 2024).