Integrity On Display Even When Not Watched

Have you heard the saying, “Real integrity is what you do when no one is watching”? Well I know that I have.

“²⁷Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” – Philippians 1:27-28 (ESV)

Well there it is in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. He was challenging “them to be servants” and “to be unified” (Introduction to Philippians in my ESV Bible). In these verses, Paul was explaining to them that even when he was not around to observe their actions, they were still responsible to do that which would be pleasing to God and bringing glory to Him.

The thing is that the truth will always be revealed whether I want it to be or not. I may not have someone explicitly watching my actions, but I am be seen in all that I do. It is easy to keep my actions in check when all eyes are on me. I have a stake in what is seen as others will certainly call me out for my actions in the public eye. It is those actions that I perform when I believe to be in private that are the tell tale signs of true integrity.

I have to be conscious of all of my actions at all times to be sure that I am acting in a way that is worthy, just in case I am seen by others, let alone that God is always watching me and knows all about my actions as well as my thoughts and feelings. I have to act worthy for the glory of God and so that I do not accidentally cause another to stumble in their walk with Him.

What actions are you taking/doing out of the public eye that are different than those for all to see? Are you allowing yourself the opportunity to be less than worthy in “private”? What if you held to the idea of “true integrity is what you do when no one is watching” and acted worthy regardless of what the environment or who may/may not be watching?