When did you last hear someone described as a person with integrity? That was a question I asked myself a couple of weeks ago. It struck me that as I began writing I couldn’t remember the last time I heard it used of anyone in everyday life, or indeed, in any recent obituary in the media, whether that be the printed or spoken word. (As I don’t read obituary columns it might still be used there, but I’m thinking about when the press reports the death of a well-known person.) In years gone by it seemed to be a familiar epithet attributed to many respected people, both living and deceased.
What is integrity anyway? I wondered how I would describe it, but being lazy, I then wondered in this technical age, how might AI describe it? I found that Chat GPT describes it thus: “Integrity refers to the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and maintaining consistency in actions, values, and beliefs. It involves doing the right thing even when no one is watching, adhering to ethical standards, and being truthful and reliable. A person with integrity is trusted because they act with sincerity and fairness, and their behaviour aligns with their stated values and principles.”
That closely fell in line with my own understanding, though probably more comprehensive! My parents instilled in their children a desire to live with integrity, in a way that would honour God. We will see when I die whether others think I have succeeded, but more importantly, whether God thinks I did.
The description highlights certain qualities, but I was curious about what ChatGPT considers to be the key traits we should expect in a person who is displaying integrity. AI loves lists, usually topping out around ten – as you may have noticed if you use it regularly. It produced the list below. Although, I have a degree of cautious scepticism about AI, I don’t dismiss content that is actually quite helpful, simply because it matches a predetermined pattern. Throughout my life growing up in churches, preachers liked their sermons to have clear sub-headings (nowadays we’d say bullet points!), and each would start with the same letter, or if they were being especially creative, letters that made up a short word! This helped people to remember the content of the sermon later, over the dinner table. So, I am not prepared to cynically dismiss patterns, although once it gets beyond six or seven, I think it is less helpful as folk will never remember that many. Nevertheless, this is the list it gave me:
- Honesty: They are truthful in their words and actions, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. They don’t deceive or manipulate others for personal gain.
- Accountability: They take responsibility for their actions and decisions, both good and bad. They own up to their mistakes without deflecting blame.
- Consistency: They align their actions with their values and principles, and they behave in a reliable and steady manner across various situations and environments.
- Courage: They do the right thing, even when it’s difficult, unpopular, or when they stand to lose something important. They don’t compromise their morals under pressure.
- Respect for others: They show consideration for others’ feelings, rights, and viewpoints, even when there are disagreements.
- Empathy: They understand and care about the experiences and emotions of others, demonstrating compassion in their interactions.
- Transparency: They are open and honest about their decisions, intentions, and actions, fostering trust and clarity in their relationships.
- Humility: They recognize their limitations and imperfections, and they are open to learning, feedback, and growth.
These characteristics reflect a person’s commitment to living by ethical standards and building trust with others. Integrity is about maintaining strong moral principles and consistently demonstrating them, both in public and private moments.
[PJ – The list originally had ten criteria, as it also included Trustworthiness and Fairness, but I felt these were too similar to other bullet-points, so I removed them – feel free to disagree, or add others!)
By way of comparison, the Opera Browser AI, called Aria, largely agrees, because their list comprised of Honesty, Accountability, Consistency, Fairness, Respect, Courage, Trustworthiness and Transparency.
And when asked whether a person could make a mistake and retain (or even gain) their reputation for integrity, ChatGPT went on to say: “Yes, a person can make a mistake and still retain their reputation for integrity, but it depends on how they respond to the mistake. Integrity is not about being flawless, but about how one handles situations, particularly when things go wrong.” [Emphasis mine]
Looking at that same question from a Biblical angle the answer must be an unequivocal “Yes” as well. The Biblical concepts of grace and mercy require it. There must be the hope of doing a “volt-face” even after a horrible mistake and getting back on track and regaining the confidence of those around you. In the Old Testament you could look at the example of King David particularly after his adultery with Bathsheba, and the subsequent murder of her husband. We see David’s abject repentance in Psalms 51 and 32, and we know that God saw David as someone who was very special because Acts 13: 22 (echoing 1 Samuel 13:14) says:- “‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all made mistakes but became the major patriarchs of the Judeo-Christian and Islamic faiths. In the New Testament you only need check out the Apostle Paul who started out as a radicalised Pharisee, imprisoning, persecuting and killing Christians, only to turn around and become one of the most significant Bible teachers in history.
But in practice, how would that work in real life today? ChatGPT suggests the following, and there may be more if you dig deeper, and with this I will finish quoting the seemingly ubiquitous AI source(!):
- Acknowledge the mistake: Admitting when you’re wrong is a key aspect of integrity. A person who is willing to own up to their mistakes shows honesty and responsibility.
- Take responsibility: Rather than blaming others or external factors, taking personal accountability demonstrates a commitment to doing what is right, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Make amends: When possible, correcting the error or working to resolve the negative impact of the mistake shows a genuine effort to restore things. Apologizing and taking steps to make things right can go a long way in maintaining trust.
- Learn from the experience: People with integrity reflect on their mistakes and make efforts to improve. This growth and self-awareness are seen as part of their moral character.
- Be transparent: Keeping others informed and showing openness during difficult situations helps to demonstrate honesty and respect for others.
If a person is consistent in acting with honesty, responsibility, and a commitment to doing the right thing, their reputation for integrity can endure even after a mistake. People often respect those who admit errors and show determination to act ethically, rather than those who try to hide mistakes or avoid accountability.”
That is largely a very Christian answer with Christian principals at play in those answers.
So, why look at this subject today? As I write this, a few weeks ago we saw the Senate committee hearings, focussing on the approval of Donald Trump’s proposed appointments for the various state departments in the new United States Government. Very few of these likely appointments seem to demonstrate any kind of integrity and I would argue that this bodes ill for the future. Donald Trump himself is a man utterly devoid of any hint of integrity, and the impression I get from his Tweets and speeches is that he would regard integrity as a character flaw or weakness. Although he was not convicted of this, he incited an insurrection or coup on January 6th 2021, and did nothing to protect the Capitol Building, causing the deaths of close to 10 people (some on the day and others by suicide later, in response to what happened), only calling off his supporters 3 hours later after Senators had “luckily” escaped the mob. Trump may claim God’s hand was on him, but that doesn’t mean God is pleased or approves of his actions. In fact, it is more likely God is angered and weeps over what Donald Trump does.
Somewhat bizarrely, in his Inauguration speech a few days ago (20th January 2025) he used the word “integrity”, but only in the context of the government, saying, “we will immediately restore the integrity, competency and loyalty of America’s government.” Hmm, that looks a tall order. There were lots of causes for concern outlined by Trump in his speech. On the one hand he said: “We will measure our success, not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into. My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier.”
Then on the other he commented: “The United States — I mean, think of this — spent more money than ever spent on a project before, and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal [Very wrong – see Reuters. Also see this History.com report.]. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal [Wrong– see Reuters]. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.
Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigour and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization. So, as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success.”
No one really knows whether the Panama issue is purely bluster or whether he intends to forcibly take the canal. He talked about compassion, but his policies are quite isolationist: imposing and threatening tariffs against even those nations friendly to him. This will hurt not just those countries targeted with tariffs, but his own people because of the inflationary pressures they will impose on the US economy.
His rhetoric over the last few years has been worrying, and a few days ago, I came across a quote. Is it Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, a Republican commentator, or….? Do you know where and when it was delivered:
“The victor will not be asked afterwards whether he told the truth or not. When starting and waging war it is not right that matters, but victory. Close your hearts to pity, act brutally. Eighty-million people must obtain what’s their right. Their existence must be made secure. The stronger man is right.” I will tell you who was speaking, at the end.
Perhaps the issue that will chill the blood of most people reading this, was his comment that: “This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private light. We will forge a society that is colourblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
Obviously, my worry is for the US LGBTQ+ community in the near future, but especially the Trans community. In the last year or two we have already seen the withdrawal of the supply of medication used by Trans people in a number of States, and with other States also looking at turning away from Diversity, Equality, Inclusivity and Accessibility legislation, with the clear encouragement of the new President, this is only likely to worsen. A few hours ago (to give an idea when this was finally prepared for posting) the President issued an executive order, calling for an end to “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral” diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) schemes. The department was a tool to train and make people aware that they needed to be fair in their treatment of others, particularly in the workplace.
The closure of DEIA initiatives under Trump’s administration could have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only federal workplaces but also broader societal dynamics. The emphasis on diversity and inclusion plays a crucial role in fostering a fair and equitable society, and its reduction may hinder any progress made in recent years.
This means that people are much more likely to be discriminated against on grounds of race, sexuality and gender, disability, age socio-economic background, minority faith groups, culture (refugees and asylum seekers) and other minority groups. The closure of DEIA schemes was intended to rebalance the perceived discrimination against white people.
This goes against every aspect of Biblical teaching. In the Old Testament God instructed the people to look after the widow, the orphan and the foreigner, and included slaves – the people most vulnerable in society at the time. In Deuteronomy 16: 13-14 the law commanded: 13 Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and your winepress. 14 Be joyful at your festival – you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. (Levites weren’t wealthy but performed priestly duties.)
In the New Testament Jesus expands the group of people who we must care for. He teaches that when we finally face God, we will get separated by what we have done for others. Matthew writes: 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
So I’m using my words carefully when I say that this new administration is possibly the most anti-Christian we have seen for many years, possibly ever. What other offensive policies will be enacted before the post gets published? 😱
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Since 2017, they have been monitoring Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ+ people (227 – and counting), and you can see their list here.
Then we also have Mark Zuckerberg announcing that Meta (the owners of Facebook and Instagram) will firstly end their third-party fact checking program (initially only in the USA), then loosen their hate speech restrictions, and finally move some of the company to Texas to avoid the difficulties of operating in a Democrat state where legislation is much more DEI-friendly. Mark Zuckerberg now sees fact-checking as censorship, and that those doing the fact checking are politically biased. [By the way, that link is worth reading, even if you skip most of the others! 😂🤔]. Furthermore, “Tech giants Meta have reportedly removed Pride and LGBTQ+ themes from Facebook Messenger just days after changes to hate speech rules which will allow users to call queer people “mentally ill”.
This seems to be in response to Elon Musk’s progressive dismantling of Twitter/X’s ethical guidelines, reducing restrictions to the point where nearly all content is permitted, aside from terrorism and child abuse-related material. Furthermore, he has reinstated accounts previously banned for sharing extremist views. While Musk identifies as a ‘free-speech absolutist,’ he appears to overlook the broader consequences of his stance.
In recent weeks we have seen Musk post factually wrong content on his platform with a seeming intention to interfere in the affairs of other countries (France, Germany and the UK), even though he has been given a governmental position in the new administration.
So, what happens when people are allowed to say whatever they want? What happens when you have no moral code or compass? Very soon after that, and probably running alongside at the same time, is that it won’t just be what people say, but what they do. If I am “true to myself”, and you are “true to yourself”, and they are “true to themselves” and everyone’s standards are in different places with no-one agreeing on any sort of respect for others, we will gradually see the breakdown of society. What standards do we measure peoples conduct by if no-one agrees? People won’t care that they have hurt others by what they say or do, because “I must be allowed to say whatever I think”. I have a right to free speech!
This is not a Biblical stance. Instead, the Bible, when talking about freedom says: 23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot, and must not, focus our attention on ourselves – that is the definition of selfishness. We must seek to build others up, not tear them down and seek to destroy. As those verses say, our focus must be on whether it is beneficial and constructive – to everyone.
As Galatians makes clear when it too talks about freedom: “13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5.
Five verses later, Galatians includes its own vice-list, and one of the vices is “selfish ambition”. It makes clear that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Let that be a warning. In its place the author of the book finishes the chapter with an alternative positive code of behaviour saying that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience in some translations), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” It is a spirit of positivity towards others, a preparedness to wash their wounds, and help them back to their feet, and a willingness to defend them.
Clearly, we are living in disturbing times, where truth is despised, but God calls us to be counter-cultural, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit as we challenge society’s values whilst still offering grace where it is needed, in an attitude of love. There are already many, many people out there who are already hurting because of the treatment they have received, whether that be from society, from family, or sadly, from the church.
It seems that people are much more prepared to believe the words of some unknown stranger on Facebook or X, or TikTok (if its reprieve lasts more than 90 days!) – people that have no verifiable track record of reliability, than they are to believe the scientists and media groups who have made it part of their life’s work and reputation to report factual information accurately. Within science, papers get peer-reviewed by others who also have a reputation to uphold. If we got to the point where science studies (especially pharmaceuticals) were not peer reviewed, life on earth would be in a very precarious position. Every car/bike/train/plane/boat must meet safety thresholds, to protect the lives of those using it. Supposing that was no longer required?
It is sad we don’t hear the word integrity nowadays, but maybe it’s just that so few people see that it is important to be trusted and to have a reputation. It seems more important to just get “likes”, “Followers” and become “influencers” in a self-centred attempt to make money.
What do you think? Why do you think reputation and integrity have virtually disappeared? Is this something you think is worth striving for?
As I close, I wanted to mention another very good book I’ve been reading recently, with the encouragement of Brian, a retired minister, and reader of these Blogs. I found it hard to believe I hadn’t come across it before, given that it was published in 2014. In addition, the publishing of the book had a significant effect on the Vineyard Churches, with some splitting away from the international body because of its resulting stance on sexuality. The book is called: Letter to my Congregation: An evangelical pastor’s path to embracing people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender into the company of Jesus by Ken Wilson. The author, along with Emily Swan, “served as pastors at the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor (Ken was the founding pastor of that congregation) until the Vineyard denomination adopted policies that forbade full welcome and inclusion of same-sex couples. Rather than enforce these policies, Ken and Emily planted Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor in January 2015, serving as co-pastors until Ken’s retirement in October 2022.” I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I’m finding that much of it chimes with my own theological understanding, and I wish I had found it earlier. It remains to be seen whether I will agree with all of the book’s conclusions, but so far, I find it to be an exceptionally honest and insightful work. It thoughtfully acknowledges the challenges and tensions faced by any church leader in guiding a congregation where diverse perspectives—often including those of other pastors—exist on the subject of sexuality.
This was intended to be a shorter blog but the new President kept making new pronouncements!
To answer that earlier question. Did you get the quote correct? It was made in 1939 when Adolf Hitler notoriously made the comments to his military commanders at a meeting at his “Eagles Nest” retreat near Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps around the outbreak of the invasion of Poland. The echoes of that speech within Trumpianism, are quite profound.
To end on a really positive note, it was wonderful to see the Bishop of Washington, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde presenting a wholly Jesus-centred message to Trump (the full video of the sermon is 15 mins – watch it!) in a way that Franklin Graham abjectly failed to do at the Inauguration. It was fascinating to see the internet go wild for a while with every US TV and radio station (and keep scrolling down several pages) carrying the story. Pink News reported on it, along with the majority of media outlets, and here’s another report from The Nation. Watch the video and thank God for the courage of this Bishop. Between Franklin Graham and the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, I know who put the smile back on Gods face!
Changing Minds 