Have you found it difficult to find someone with true integrity Honesty and wholeness of character now seem to be optional and not required in the lives of people today.

The word integrity stems from the Latin adjective integer (whole, complete). In this context, integrity is the inner sense of “wholeness” deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. We can determine that someone has integrity if they behave according to the values, beliefs, and principles they claim to hold.

Joseph was a prime example of integrity, honor, and moral uprightness. He was tested under the severest of adverse circumstances, and he came out as a man of integrity. When his master’s wife tried to seduce the handsome Joseph, he ran (vv. 6-12). That is exactly what we need to do when we are tempted in any area. Run away from the temptation, and don’t look back!

In verses 8-12, notice what Joseph does in order to overcome moral failure. He refuses to participate in sin, saying that it would be a “sin against God” (vv. 8-9). Day after day, he resists the sin (v. 10). He runs quickly from the sin (vv. 11-12). Joseph “fled, and got him out”—because that’s exactly what you will need to do when the lure of sin is calling out to you.

There are all sorts of temptations lurking around every single one of us. It is tempting to gamble, cheat, steal, and lie. We have seen the results of having no moral code in business, and yet there are still some who don’t care to have principles in business, and all of us suffer for this.

Pray and ask God for some of Joseph’s integrity as we drive back the fiends of temptation. Don’t give in to whatever your particular temptation may be; stay strong.

A prison sentence, like the one Joseph endured, would be better than failing your Lord. And besides, ”the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (v. 23). Just as God was with Joseph, and made everything he did successful, He will be with you, too. Be a person of integrity.