Being a Woman of Integrity

One of the Bible commentators tells of a story that happened over 40 years ago that left a lasting impression on him concerning his Momma.

She had him and his brother in a Dime Store.

He said he and his brother were pretty young.

They left the store and got into the car.

When they got into the car his brother opened up a piece of gum and put it in his mouth.

His momma had not bought them any gum so she asked his brother where he got it.

He didn’t really want to say but he admitted he got it in the store.

Momma grabbed him up and took him right back into the store.

She made him tell the cashier that he had taken the gum without paying for it.

Then she paid for it and left.

That happened over 40 years ago. I wonder how some mothers might handle that today.

We’re told to build up our child’s self-esteem.

Putting a child on the spot like that might damage their self-esteem.

Some women might be proud of their child’s ingenuity and not say anything.

Some might not say anything because they don’t want to upset their child and have to deal with the kicking and screaming.

Some would rather not confront the issue because it would embarrass them, and the child.

So they might just let it go.

Not this mother.

She wasn’t as concerned about her embarrassment as she was about teaching her children right and wrong.

She wasn’t as concerned about her child’s self-esteem as much as she was her child’s character.

This commentator’s mother was a woman of integrity and she wanted her children to be men and women of integrity.

In a day where marriages are falling apart because of the husband or wife’s selfish desires, we need women of integrity.

In a day when women are physically hurting and killing their own children, we need women of integrity.

In a day when women are choosing a boyfriend over their own children, we need women of integrity.

Here’s what the Bible says about women of integrity.

Read Proverbs 31:25–31.

There is no mother or woman here today who is perfect.

But there are women here who can become women of integrity.

This passage gives us insight to a virtuous woman.

A. Verse 10 talks about a virtuous wife.

This literally means a woman of valor.

Some of the things that are said to be characteristics of a virtuous wife:

Not scared of work (v. 13).

Provides for her family (v. 15).

Savvy with her money (v. 16).

These are great attributes for a woman to have.

But these attributes come from something deeper in a woman.

They come from her character.

They come from a woman who has integrity.

3. So what is integrity?

Webster’s Dictionary has two definitions that explain what integrity is:

“Firm adherence to a code of especially moral … values.”

“The quality or state of being complete or undivided.”

A woman of integrity from the standpoint of God’s Word would be defined as:

“A woman who firmly adheres to the Word of God.”

“A woman who is complete and undivided in her commitment to God and others.”

That’s it.

That’s all it takes to be a woman of integrity.

We can have the invitation now and everybody will be changed, right?

No use going on when we’ve got it all figured out.

Well, there’s more to it.

What makes a woman of integrity?

4. Before we get to what makes a woman of integrity, let’s look at what doesn’t make a woman of integrity.

Charm (v. 30). The Gk. Word here means grace, charm, or popularity.

“Charm is the ability to win others over by saying what they want to hear and doing what they want done.” People use charm to gain popularity.

The Bible says here that charm is deceitful.

It’s fake. It’s a put-on. It’s not real.

Charm is trying to get what you want by becoming someone else.

There is nothing fake about a woman of integrity.

A woman of integrity doesn’t have to charm her way into her family and friends’ hearts.

A woman of integrity doesn’t have to pretend she is someone she’s not.

Beauty (v. 30).

This must be what most of the world today thinks makes a woman of integrity.

Makeup is a billion dollar industry. Cosmetic surgery is a popular elective surgery today.

Now there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best.

But beauty is going to fade and is going to drop and is going to sag and is going to wrinkle.

The Bible says “beauty is passing.”

None of us look as good as we used to.

A woman of integrity doesn’t put on her integrity every morning looking at the mirror.

A woman of integrity doesn’t get that way from a bottle of Mary Kay or from Sephora.

Charm and beauty doesn’t make you a woman of integrity.

5. What makes a woman of integrity? Her Character—her inner characteristics.

A. Strength (v. 25).

This is not physical strength but inner strength.

This strength comes from knowing who to lean on: Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew word means: safety, protection, refuge, a stronghold or fortress.

A woman of integrity leans upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

Her children, her husband, her friends and family, can find safety and protection in a woman who leans upon the God of all Creation.

When the world is falling apart, a woman of integrity is always there in the strength of the Lord for those who need her.

When the going gets tough, people search out a woman of integrity.

A woman of integrity is strong in the Lord.

Honor (v. 25).

Honor means “someone who has a good name, a person of superior standing, one who’s worth brings respect.”

A woman of integrity has a humble spirit.

She doesn’t stir up the pot.

She steers clear of anything that might cause her to lose her good name, her standing.

She knows the Lord and she lives for the Lord.

She knows that a blemish on her is a blemish on the Lord Jesus Christ.

A woman of integrity is a woman with honor.

6. Her Behavior—her outer characteristics.

A. A woman of integrity puts others ahead of herself.

She respects her husband (v. 12).

She makes her husband a better man (v. 23).

Her husband trusts her with all his heart (v. 11).

2. She loves her children.

She helps to provide for them.

She raises them in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

She has a heart for those less fortunate than her (v. 20).

She doesn’t want anyone to suffer.

She will do everything in her power to make sure everyone’s life is better because of her.

She speaks with wisdom and kindness.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom” (v. 26).

She weighs her words.

She thinks before she speaks.

“On her tongue is the law of kindness.”

She always has something good to say about somebody. She’s not a negative Nelly, or a Nosy Nora.

She always has something good to say to somebody.

7. Her Heart—her spiritual characteristics.

She fears the Lord (v. 30).

This means she knows the Lord.

This is where a woman of integrity begins. At the feet of Jesus Christ.

She reveres Him. She loves Him. She honors Him. She worships Him.

She trusts in Him as her only Lord and Savior. She’s saved.

8. The benefits of a woman of integrity.

Her children will respect her and bless her. Her husband will praise her.

You may be a good woman but without the Lord, you’ll never be a complete woman.

To be a woman of integrity begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ.