Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Integrity Acknowledges Inadequacies

“To have integrity means you acknowledge your own lack of knowledge. And if you don’t know, you say, ‘I don’t know.’ You don’t fake it. You don’t deny your inadequacies. You make no attempt to impress others. Please hear that. It goes on in ministry all the time. People often shape what they do or what they say, depending on what someone else is going to say or think. That’s a lack of integrity.”

Daniel Modeled Integrity

“Daniel was a model. He stood out. Darius noticed it. We’re not left to speculate what he noticed, because the word ‘because’ appears in the text, ‘because he possessed an extraordinary spirit.’ I love that. That would include, I would imagine, a great attitude, a positive outlook on life, faithfulness to one’s calling to fulfill one’s responsibilities. And we may assume great relational skills as well. He was a man of diligence, consistency, trustworthiness. He was a man of integrity.”

Integrity Brings Deep Inner Security

“The presence of integrity in one’s life is like a thick, warm blanket on a cold day. It gives you deep inner security. There’s nothing to hide. So there’s nothing to fear. It’s a good time for me to pause and remind you of the value of that in ministry. If you begin to do anything that you must hide, it is wrong. You will be found out.”

Expect Envy When You Walk in Integrity

“When you stand out, there will always be those envious of you. You cannot let that affect you. You cannot let it go to your head. You cannot ignore it either. You must be wise, aware, knowing that’s going on.”

Pursue Integrity

“I’ve observed in my years in ministry that God is still searching for men and women of integrity. I hope you are one of them. And if you are not, I hope you will begin today to pursue it deliberately, consistently, faithfully.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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