ALIGNING YOUR LIFE WITH GOD’S VALUES

Don Hanscom, Sr.

Integrity is the principle that gives bridges, buildings, companies,

families, and people their wholeness, quality and strength. The word
comes from the Latin “integras” which means "sound, whole,
complete". None of us would drive across a bridge if we knew the steel
in the structure lacked integrity or the bolts were not tightened or the
cement was not mixed properly. I read recently where there are 35
million laws in America to protect its people from those of low integrity.
The same could be said about Canada.
I have heard a lot of talk, and read a lot of books on subjects
such as ethics, integrity, and balancing one's life. Usually, there are
always two critical components omitted: ethical standards for conduct,
and a genuine, personal accountability process. It is so important that
the very highest ethical standards for conduct are upheld by those in
ministry, and that we all feel accountable to someone whom we can
trust. This helps us to stay on track. It is simply being “real”.
Common terms in leadership circles are "proactive" and
"reactive". Proactive means that I am an initiator, a planner of
appropriate action before being expected to do so. Reactive means I
am not prepared to respond appropriately, thus always reacting to
events. I often become a destructive person when I've acted in
reactive ways. When I've acted in proactive ways, my decisions were
right, and I served as a developer instead.
Millard Macadam has written a book which he calls "Intentional
Integrity". In his book, he deals with what he calls "conditional"
integrity, and "intentional" integrity. Conditional integrity is being
honest when it's convenient and as long as it doesn't cost personally.
In contrast, intentional integrity will give every area of your life a solid
foundation for honest and truthful actions.
Conditional integrity in our world is touted as "the way to
succeed", yet every day we see the tragic results of selective
dishonesty. Intentional
integrity insists that there are absolutes, and that there is a right and a
wrong, and that we can know the difference. We do what is right, not
what is convenient or painless.
Peter Drucker made the statement, "People might know too little,
perform poorly, lack judgment and ability, and yet not do too much
damage. But if they lack in character and integrity .... no matter how
knowledgeable, how brilliant, how successful, ...... they destroy. They
destroy people, the most valuable resource of the enterprise. They
destroy spirit. And they destroy performance." In our society, and
yes, often in the church, we have become increasingly tolerant of lack
of integrity. We are no longer shocked at the flagrant disrespect for
the values that made us what we are today. We have almost come to
expect dishonesty! What happens when we distance ourselves from
the reality of God-made truths? We become dysfunctional and
destructive. What's the result of this "can't set a standard" mentality?
Lust, greed, violence, and deviant behavior becomes normal, and the
"in" thing to do!
Warren W. Wiersbe stated it well in his book, “The Integrity
Crisis”, when he said, “Jesus made it clear that integrity involves the
whole of the inner person: the heart, the mind, and the will. The
person with integrity has a single heart. He doesn't try to love God
and the world at the same time ....The person with integrity also has a
single mind, and single outlook, that keeps life going in the right
direction .... Jesus also said that the person with integrity has a single
will; he seeks to serve but one master.”
Let's start by making a commitment to being a person of
integrity. This commitment will be an immunization against Satan's
virus of dishonesty. People who are consistently productive are firmly
committed to personal performance that is firmly based on Biblical,
ethical standards for conduct. Those who base their performance on
the conditional approach to integrity too often capitulate under
pressure and behave in unproductive and often destructive ways.
Integrity starts with fathers and mothers in their families, and
with pastors and church leaders in the church. When modeled from
the top, integrity has a greater chance of becoming an operational
reality among members of the family, and among all levels of the
church organization.
I have come to this conclusion, that God's principles for living
and working are dependable principles that have been set into motion
by God, and that they have definite cause-and-effect outcomes
associated with them. I have come to understand that I have two basic
choices: either obey or decay! I have found that if I ignore God's
values and principles, and His laws of cause and effect, I can expect
wrong outcomes.
The very axis of our lives must be our spiritual center. In this
center must be our purpose, vision, and values. Various dimensions of
life such as emotional, family, social, physical, financial, recreational,
intellectual go out from this center. Your character, competence, and
commitment which those around you clearly see gives you the ability
to travel life's rough roads or smooth trails.
Examination time: below you will find a list of proven leadership
traits. To the right of each is given an opposing trait. In front of each
trait, on a scale of 1 (low) to 4 (high), evaluate how you have
personally exhibited these Biblical ethical standards for conduct in your
ministry. Then, do the same by writing to the right of each opposing
trait the degree to which each trait has deterred your success.
 Accepting Contentious
Generous Greedy
Patient Angry
Blameless Crooked
Gracious Profane
Peaceful Violent
Cheerful Hot tempered
Honest Fraudulent
Persevering Idle
Decisive Complacent
Hopeful Pessimistic
Polite Insulting
Dignified Insolent
Humble Arrogant
Positive Rebellious
Diligent Lazy
Just Unfair
Prudent Wasteful
Discerning Careless
Kind Cruel
Sincere Pretender
Disciplined Unrestrained
Loyal Cunning
Trustworthy Treacherous
Discreet Brazen
Loving Hateful
Truthful Liar
Earnest Deceitful
Merciful Wicked
Understanding Impatient
Forgiving Resentful
Open Closed
Wise Prideful

Take Time to identify core values. Identifying the core values

that define your organization is one of the most important functions of
leadership. The success or failure of this process can literally make or
break an organization.

Core values must be communicated.

Identifying your organization’s core values is a worthless

exercise unless those values are constantly communicated and your
people and customers see that you are completely committed to them.
Walk your talk!
 The good news is that once core values have been set in place -
identified, communicated, and impacting behavior -- they become the
“boss”. Just remember though, this is an ongoing process -- a journey
without a finish line.
-Ken Blanchard - The Heart Of A Leader