The political events of the past several months have left us all somewhat dazed and confused. It does not matter which “side” you were on in the multitude of recent skirmishes in the press, broadcasts, or social media, the fact is that we have entered a time of deep uncertainty. Some people are euphoric. Some people are devastated. Some are emboldened. Some are frightened. Most of us are numb, to one degree or another. But many are simply blasé or apathetic. It is an unsettled time, to say the least.

As we move through the coming months it is important to note that one of the core issues, which divided the political process of the past few months, was one of integrity. Now, to paraphrase several dictionaries the two given definitions of integrity are 1) the personal quality of being honest and adhering to strong moral and ethical principles; and 2) the condition, or state, of being whole, entire, and undivided.

The Bible addresses integrity as a personal characteristic.

The Book of Proverbs, which is found in the Old Testament, is a “collection of collections” of wisdom sayings which cannot be accurately dated, but which are ancient far beyond the days of King Solomon. Its content primarily addresses values, right conduct, moral behavior, and the wisdom of the righteous.

Biblical citations and inferences on the character of integrity are far too many to cite here, but Proverbs 11:3 is a good summation of the general Biblical meaning of integrity: ‘The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.” (American Standard Version).

Jesus, however, looked back further to a simple, single standard which puts a lock on human character when he says: “But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-31)

Now, lest you, the reader, think I am singling out any one politician, please be assured that I am painting here with a very broad brush and including every single one of us in this.

As a free, western civilization we have moved from a culture based on objective, core standards, such as those expressed in the Book of Proverbs and in the teachings of Jesus to an emotionally driven and self-serving way of being and doing. We are far more interested in what makes us feel good about ourselves, what we want, how we want things to be, and that the general perspective of everyone must be in sync with our own.

So, as we have seen over the past few months, all manner and means of discrediting “the other” has been the replacement for object facts, honesty, ethical behavior, and civil conduct. Gossip, half-truths, character assassinations, unwarranted judgments, and blatant lies have become the accepted norm, even among so-called “good people” from one end of the social and political structures to the other.

So, I direct you back to the quotation from Proverbs cited above and point out that such behaviors are ultimately self-destructive: “The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.” However, the solution to this problem, which includes every one of us, lies in the words of Jesus, also cited above: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

You see, the ultimate solution to our great many issues does not lie with political, religious, institutional, or social leaders – it lies with each of us on an individual level. Will we have integrity and behave in a manner that demonstrates honesty, and strong moral and ethical principles, or not? If we do, from the least of us to the most elevated, the second definition of integrity becomes the norm and we as a nation and society will become whole, entire, and undivided, and thereby enjoy peace.

It is time we all make the personal characteristic of integrity a priority in our lives and set the example for all those in power or aspiring to power. If we do not, the consequences will be dire.

-Michael Doty