By O.S. Hawkins
Daniel 6
What is the single most important trait of one who desires to truly make a difference in our culture and world today? Some might say intellect. After all, knowledge is power and many believe that the most important thing they can have in addressing the culture is intellect. Someone else might say intensity, a spirit of conquest, a passion that is contagious. Still others might say it is insight. That is, good old common sense and the ability to see through issues and use discernment. However, in the long run there's one word which describes the single most important characteristic of one who finishes strongly and makes a lasting difference in the midst of a culture. The word is integrity. Now, more than ever, it is what our world needs.
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I've known those with intellect who had keen knowledge and persuasive abilities but who had little or no integrity and are no longer in the race. I've also known those with a tremendous amount of intensity and passion but who had little or no integrity, and they, too, have already dropped by the wayside. I've also known those with a keen insight and the ability to make wise decisions but who ultimately showed that they had little or no integrity and they, too, are out of the race.
Daniel certainly had intellect. We read that he was ". . . gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand . . ." (Dan. 1:4) He certainly had intensity. The Bible records that Daniel ". . . purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . ." (Dan. 1:8) He also had insight. We discover this in Daniel Chapter 2 and Chapter 5 when he keenly discerned King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the handwriting on Belshazzar's wall. However, what truly set Daniel apart from the others and enabled him to achieve such incredible success in Babylon was his integrity. The Bible says, "then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him . . ." (Dan. 6:3)
Integrity can be defined as the steadfast adherence to a moral or ethical code. It is the state or quality of being complete; the freedom from corrupting influence or motive. It speaks of consistency. That is, the word "integrity" defines someone who is in public what he also is in private. Integrity is what causes the professional golfer to turn himself in on an infraction when no one else sees it. It is what causes a witness to tell the truth on the witness stand when no one else will know. Integrity is what keeps employees from cheating on overtime hours or expense accounts. Integrity is what keeps us honest as April 15th rolls around each year. Integrity is what keeps us faithful to our wives or husbands when away on business trips.
