While reading through the Proverbs this summer, I found myself noticing the word “integrity” popping up again and again.

So I took a dive in to all the places the word “integrity” is found in the Bible.

In my English Bible (I use the ESV version), the word “integrity” is found 25 times.

I found that surprising! That’s not very many. (I would encourage you to take the time to look all 25 of them up. Its summer time. Just do it.)

But then, I found this even more surprising – 24 of those instances are found in the Old Testament. These 3 wisdom books had the majority of them.

8 times in Proverbs (2:7, 2:21, 10:9, 11:3, 19:1, 20:7, 28:6, 28:18)

6 times in the Psalms (7:8, 25:21, 26:1, 26:11, 41:12, 101:2)

5 times in Job (2:3, 2:9, 4:6, 27:5, 31:6)

What is so surprising is that if 24 of the 25 uses of the word “integrity” are found in the Old Testament then that means the word “integrity” is only found once in the New Testament. That’s right – only one time! Remarkable!

That single instance is found in Titus 2:7. “and in your teaching show integrity.” It is easy to see the emphasis there – if anyone is a teacher of the Word of God they must have integrity. What a dangerous thing it is for someone to be a fake and a hypocrite as they speak for God and about God. May we learn from this verse in Titus 2:7 and be men and women of integrity!

Now I want to circle back to the uses we find in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is the book of the Bible that uses the word “integrity” most often.

It is convicting to notice how integrity applies to every area of life. The wisdom of God that informs and instructs this life requires integrity. Moreover, it is empowered and supplied by integrity.

Proverbs 2:7 teaches us that God is a shield to those who walk in integrity. In other words, God guides and protects His people through their integrity.

Proverbs 10:9 teaches us that walking in integrity is a key and solution to overcoming insecurities.

Proverbs 19:1 teaches us that contentment comes with integrity. And that people without integrity may have a lot of possessions and yet still be unhappy.

Proverbs 20:7 teaches us that integrity has a major impact on our homes and families. Children are blessed when their parents possess integrity!

These are just some of the examples of how God teaches us that “integrity” applies to every area of life.

Many people know this simple , helpful definition of integrity = Someone who does the right thing when no one is looking.

I really like that definition. Its helpful. But there is a bit more to it, a true person of integrity does the right thing when no one is looking because they also know that God is always looking. God sees and knows everything. Nothing is hidden from His sight.

And since by faith in Jesus Christ we are forgiven of all our sins, we not need to try and hide our sins from God. With integrity, we admit our sins and confess them to God knowing and believing that in love He forgives us. To God be the Glory and worthy is the Lamb who was slain! May God make us people of “integrity!”

Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

It sure has been hot lately. Walking outside for even just a brief few minutes will cause you to begin sweating. If you find yourself out in this heat for any extended period of time, then you know how nice it is to come back inside for a cold drink. A cold drink on a hot day is so refreshing. This proverb understands that truth, and it also connects it to receiving good news from a far country. 

Over the next month, our church will send out our second missionary family of 2025. And over the remainder of this year, we will be finalizing plans to send out a third missionary family. Lord willing, they will be leaving in 2026. There are many emotions that come with sending out missionaries. Our church family has been processing these emotions for about the last year. On one hand, it is all so happy and good. People are going to serve the Lord. The church is supporting and sending out people. And on the other hand, it is sad. We miss them. We think about them regularly. We wish we could see them. The emotions that come with sending missionaries are real. 

But there is a big blessing that comes with it. A source of joy and encouragement that I had not considered – Receiving the monthly updates/newsletters. We are at the point now that our church family (and the entire support team) is receiving a monthly newsletter from our missionary families. And these are so very good! I get excited when I see them show up in my e-mail inbox. They have information about how they are adjusting and feeling. They have cute little updates about their kids and home lives. They have fascinating information about the gospel ministry being done there. They have personal updates that continue the relationship. They contain so much encouragement! In a beautiful way, they continue the healthy relationship between the sender and the sent. 

As I read these newsletters, I feel my life and soul and faith refreshed! These newsletters are “good news from a far country”, and they come to us “like cold water to a thirsty soul.”We thank God for the newsletters our missionaries send us! If you are a part of FBCF and you are not receiving the monthly newsletters that our missionaries are sending out, then I encourage you to get signed up right away. They are such a blessing and source of refreshment.