By the Rev. Doug Bolles

Church of the Nazarene

I have always been impressed and, I must admit, a little intimidated by the Old Testament character of Daniel. He is a well-known person to those at all acquainted with Scripture and the most famous story is found in Daniel 6 when he is thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel was a devout worshiper of Jehovah and when jealous co-workers in Darius’ kingdom set him up to be discredited in the eyes of the king, he held steadfastly to his beliefs, refusing to worship anyone but Jehovah God.

Even though Darius was very sorrowful that he had been duped by his cabinet, there was no way out for him because the “law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed.” Into the hungry lions’ den Daniel went, but with this word of encouragement from King Darius, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” And he did! Daniel came out unscathed by the lions’ teeth and bad breath!

Daniel was a man of wonderful integrity. He didn’t fold under pressure. His life was an open book to those around him. He was faithful in all his responsibilities to God, King Darius, and the people with whom he worked. Even though his co-workers tried ever-so-hard, they could find nothing wrong with the way Daniel conducted his affairs.

This biblical account shows four specific marks of integrity in Daniel.

First, he exhibited an excellent attitude. Verse 3 says, “an excellent spirit was in him.” “Looking good” was not as important to Daniel as “being good.” How is your attitude in all the places you inhabit?

Second, he was faithful in his work. The Berkley Version of the Bible says he was “faithful in the discharge of his duties.” The NIV translates it, “neither corrupt nor negligent.” Nice report to the boss! How about us? Can we be counted on to perform even when the boss is not there? Trusted with an expense account? A company car? Proverbs 20:7 reads, “A righteous man walks in his integrity. How blessed are his sons after him.”

Third, he was a man of personal purity. They found no corruption. No hanky-panky. No hidden dirt. No hint of sexual harassment. No inappropriate e-mails to interns. His Facebook page was pure! Daniel’s purity was through and through. He was a man in harmony with his God.

Fourth, his walk with God was consistent. Finding nothing wrong with his work ethic, his co-workers set a trap for him by influencing Darius to make a law about worshipping Darius only for 30 days. That was a no-brainer for them because they knew Daniel’s habits and commitment to worship of Jehovah. He was an easy mark for their scheme. When he heard of it all, he continued as he had been doing previously, kneeling, praying and giving thanks before God. Daniel consulted God always about everything.

How regularly do you bow before God in a spirit of thanks?

So there you have it – Four Marks of Integrity:

1 – An Excellent Attitude

2 – Faithful in Our Work

3 – Personal Purity

4 – A Consistent Walk with God

Our country is in the midst of an integrity crisis, but we can’t blame anyone else. A government that is deviant often reflects a people whose beliefs have eroded. The scalpel is in our hands. Self-examination is up to us. It is a biblical imperative, for the Apostle Paul says, “let a man examine himself.”

Also remember, in the process, God has given the Holy Spirit to help us!