“Until I die, I will not renounce my integrity!”— Job 27:5
[From ws 02/19 p.2 Study Article 6: April 8 -14]
The preview to the article this week asks, what is integrity? Why does Jehovah value that quality in his servants? Why is integrity important to each of us? This article will help us find the Bible’s answers to those questions.
The Cambridge dictionary defines integrity as follows:
“The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles” and “the quality of being whole and complete”
There are two Hebrew words which when translated are rendered as integrity.
The Hebrew word tom meaning "simplicity," "soundness," "completeness," rendered also "upright," "perfection."
Also the Hebrew word “tummah”, from “tamam”, which used in Job 27:5 meaning, "to complete," "be upright," "perfect".
Interestingly the word “tummah” instead of “tom” is also used in Job 2:1, Job 31:6 and Proverbs 11:3.
Now keeping in mind this definition how does the article measure up this week in providing the reader with a clear understanding of what integrity is?
Paragraph 1 starts off with 3 imaginary scenarios;
- “A young girl is at school one day when the teacher asks all the students in class to take part in a holiday celebration. The girl knows that this holiday does not please God, so she respectfully refuses to join in.”
- “A shy young man is preaching from door to door. He realizes that someone from his school lives at the next house—a fellow student who has made fun of Jehovah’s Witnesses before. But the young man goes to the house and knocks on the door anyway.”
- “A man is working hard to provide for his family, and one day his boss asks him to do something dishonest or illegal. Though he could lose his job, the man explains that he must be honest and obey the law because God requires that of his servants.”
Paragraph 2 states that we notice the qualities of courage and honesty. This is true, courage is required in all three scenarios but honesty is not required in the second scenario. The paragraph goes on to say “But one quality stands out as especially precious—integrity. Each of the three shows loyalty to Jehovah. Each one refuses to compromise on God’s standards. Integrity moves those individuals to act as they do.”
Do each of these scenarios show integrity and loyalty to God?
That depends on whether the actions in each scenario are in obedience to Jehovah.
Scenario 1: Does the Bible prohibit celebrating holidays? Well, does that not depend on the origin and purpose of the Holiday? True Christians avoid holidays that have any connection to spiritism, glorify violence or contradict Bible principles. Not all holidays contradict Bible principles. Take for instance Labour Day, which originates from unions advocating for shorter working days. This has resulted in a positive outcome with better working conditions for employees. Therefore, the action taken by the girl is commendable only to the extent that she is doing it to avoid breaking God’s principles rather than rules set by the Organisation.
Scenario 2: Does Jehovah require his servants to preach his word? Yes, Matthew 28:18-20 is clear that we should be teachers of God’s word and the good news given by Christ. Does the Bible require us to insist on preaching to those who have clearly indicated they have no interest in us preaching to them? Matthew 10:11-14 “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until you leave. When you enter the house, greet the household. If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you. Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet”. The principle in verse 13 and 14 is clear, where someone is not willing to receive you, go your way in peace. We are not required to force people to worship God nor are we required to humiliate ourselves where the prospects of having fruitful Bible discussions are limited. Jesus knew that many would reject his Word just as the Jews in his day - Matthew 21:42.
Scenario 3: The man refuses to do something dishonest. This is a true example of integrity, the man “has strong moral principles”.
WHAT IS INTEGRITY?
Paragraph 3 defines integrity as “wholehearted love for and unbreakable devotion to Jehovah as a Person, so that his will comes first in all our decisions. Consider some background. One basic meaning of the Bible word for “integrity” is this: complete, sound, or whole”. The example used to expand on the meaning of integrity is of the animals that the Israelites offered as a sacrifice to Jehovah. These had to be “sound” or “complete”. Notice that the writer uses the term “the Bible word for integrity” in a loose sense. We have already noted that there are two Bible words used for integrity. The appropriate word for the sacrificial animals is “tom” meaning “complete” in the sense that the animals should be free from any defect. The word in Job 27:5 is “tummah” which is only used with reference to a human being (read Job 2:1, Job 31:6 and Proverbs 11:3). The difference may appear to be subtle, but it matters when trying to get the sense of to what Job was referring. Job did not mean “Until I die, I will not renounce my [perfection or freeness from defect!]” [Bold ours]. He meant he would remain upright for he knew he was an imperfect man. (Job 9:2)
Why has the Watchtower article writer chosen to ignore the subtle difference? It could simply be an oversight on his part. However, experience tells us that is unlikely. Could it perhaps be because the Organization continues to encourage its members to make greater and greater sacrifices to please Jehovah which are in fact thinly disguised ways of sacrificing time, energy and resources all in the pursuit of Organizational objectives.
Note: At times, having integrity may result in some sacrifices such as losing your job or even physical harm. However, the sacrifices arise as a result of showing integrity. In order to clarify the context in Job 27:5 we are simply making the point that integrity should not always be equated to making sacrifices.
Paragraph 5 makes a good point “For servants of Jehovah, the key to integrity is love. Our love for God, our loyal devotion to him as our heavenly Father, must remain complete, sound, or whole. If our love remains like that even when we are tested, then we have integrity.” When we love Jehovah and his principles, it becomes easier for us to have integrity even under difficult circumstances.
WHY WE NEED INTEGRITY
Paragraphs 7 – 10 provide a summary of Job’s example of integrity and the tribulation that Satan mounted against him. Despite all the trials Job faced he kept his integrity until the end.
Paragraph 9 states “How did Job handle all that adversity? He was not perfect. He angrily rebuked his false comforters, and he uttered what he admitted was wild talk. He defended his own righteousness more than he did God’s. (Job 6:3; 13:4, 5; 32:2; 34:5) However, even in his worst moments, Job refused to turn against Jehovah God.”
What do we learn from this?
- Integrity may come at great cost to us
- Keeping integrity does not require perfection.
- We should never think that Jehovah is the cause of our tribulation
- If Job as an imperfect man could maintain his integrity under such severe trials, it is possible for us to keep our integrity even in difficult circumstances.
HOW WE CAN KEEP OUR INTEGRITY AT THIS TIME
Paragraph 12 says, “Job strengthened his love for God by developing awe for Jehovah.” How did he develop this awe for Jehovah?
“Job spent time contemplating the marvels of Jehovah’s creation (Read Job 26:7, 8, 14.)”
“He also felt awe for Jehovah’s expressions. “I have treasured up his sayings,” Job said of God’s words. (Job 23:12)”
We do well to imitate the example of Job in both aspects highlighted by these scriptures. When we have respect for Jehovah and his principles, we will grow in our determination to keep our integrity to Him.
Paragraphs 13 – 16 also offer good counsel from which we can all benefit if we apply it in our lives.
Overall, this article offers sound guidance on how we can imitate Job in showing integrity. It is worth noting that irrespective of some of the points raised in paragraph 10, not all trials and tests of our integrity will be directly related to Satan’s claim against Job.
Keeping our integrity could also mean standing firm against false religious doctrine and false teachings of the Organization even when this could result in us (like Job) experiencing negative assertions from those whom we consider our friends.
Archived Comments
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Comment by Meleti Vivlon on 2019-04-11 19:26:48
Hi Everyone. My apologies for being away. I've been overwhelmed by the amount of comments from the Spanish YouTube videos and the sudden surge of interest in both the English and Spanish videos recently. Over 13,000 subscribers and over 400,000 views since January. In addition to that there's the annoyance of the judicial case as well as trying to prepare videos on the memorial which is fast approaching.
In any case, the JC is still pending and I don't want to say too much until it is over so as to not jeopardize things. All will become clear within a week or two.
Thank you for your support and patience.
Your brother in Christ,
Meleti aka EricReply by lost in space on 2019-04-11 21:41:39
So good to hear from you Eric. Appreciated?. Was coming up with all sorts of scenarios what had happened to you and Tadua!! From our time following you and those in similar situations on this forum, our hearts have grown closer as we journey together. May Jehovah reward your integrity and love.
Reply by samisaac on 2019-04-12 05:24:32
Good to hear you’re doing well Eric. Regarding the surge in interest in Beroean Pickets... I have also noticed several of my friends (semi active jws, some very active) that has on several occasions expressed that ”the organization isn’t THAT important. If the organization as it is today should fall we will still serve Jehovah and Christ.” I hope I’m not only imagining this but there seems to be an increased interest in questions that are kind of taboo when talking to super loyal witnesses.
Reply by messenger on 2019-04-12 06:23:02
Wow!!! That's a lot of viewers and subscribers.
Reply by Psalmbee on 2019-04-12 10:28:13
"Your brother in Christ,"
Is what Eric wrote, and nothing could be more important than that!
The judicial committee is so minute in comparison.
Take your time Meleti, no hurries, no worries.
Psalmbee
Comment by jamesbrown on 2019-04-11 22:11:42
Great to hear you are doing well Eric, just think 400,000 JW's or associated JW's who have viewed your videos & that includes myself last night.
Well done my brother, this week we had a video at the meeting about how Jehovah MUST be behind this vast organization with all its co-operations & there isn’t another organization that can claim this.
I whispered to my wife, then who is behind ALL the Christian religions and organisation who number into tens of millions?
Eric you relied on Jehovah God and his Son and by means of holy spirit you managed to invite people from all walks of life to view & subscribe, & the number is still growing, if that’s not heavenly backing, then what is?
Keep up the good work Eric & remember jealously is a curse & the org and judicial committee, is cursing you, to them you are an apostate, however they are CONFUSED, because apostates don’t believe in Jehovah and his son, and yet here you are showing them bible verses and reasoning from the scriptures.
Can you imagine, they would have gone home and asked their wife’s, what they thought about certain scriptures or they would have done their own research.
Just wait and see.
Keep up the good work my brother.
Comment by samisaac on 2019-04-12 05:13:30
Thanks Nobleman for this commentary. It felt balanced, many ”jw critics” tend to ONLY point out what’s negative about jw literature, while some active Jws only talk about the positive things. You have found a good balance here.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2019-04-12 08:24:39
400000 views is not 400000 viewers. Nevertheless 13000 subscribers is very encouraging indeed. Not far off the number who will take the emblems on Friday week. Hmm.
Hope things are OK with you Eric. Have they put off the day, or their decision, or are you going through an appeal. Do not answer that. I am sure we can all wait, with much interest.
Comment by messenger on 2019-04-12 16:00:49
13,000 subscribers and 400,000 views in 4 months is a lot. I don't know if I am a subscriber, since I never hit any link or signed up to be. Yet I read regularly.
Many must be regular readers.
Comment by Mara Fayde on 2019-04-12 19:36:47
Paragraph 7 states that Job lived in the days when the Israelites lived in Egypt. So that would be prior to the Mosaic Law. Job 23:12 reads: “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips.I have treasured up his sayings even more than what was required of me.”
So I’m curious. What were these commandments and sayings of JHVH that Job was responding to? Were these old writings, pre-Moses, lost to time?Reply by rusticshore on 2019-04-13 10:41:08
Is this the article I reviewed recently that did not mention Jeusus even one time? You know . . . The Man who was the foremost example of integrity? I may be mistaken, but I think this may be the one.
Comment by rusticshore on 2019-04-13 10:43:34
Is this the article I recently reviewed in which Jesus is not mentioned even once in the entire article? You know, the foremost example of integrity? I may be mistaken, but I think this may be the article.
Comment by jamesbrown on 2019-04-15 02:51:37
Hi all
rusticshore, I would like to thank you for bringing the thought were you said:
Is this the article I recently reviewed in which Jesus is not mentioned even once in the entire article? You know, the foremost example of integrity? I may be mistaken, but I think this may be the article.
O boy did I cause a stir with one elder and his wife..... More on that latter.
For all the ones who have attended the special talk, it left an important question for me to ask this elder, I just posed the question in connection with Acts 8: 12 But when they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were getting baptized.
The question I asked shouldn’t there be preaching in-between? After all this is what we tell ALL bible students, NOT knowledge and dedication and baptism.
As he was trying to explain his wife came in, and I involved her in our conversation, she said that’s true I never heard him mention preaching, so what does that mean that we don’t tell our bible students to go preaching as a requirement before getting baptised?
He addressed both of us by saying, the org. is appealing to all inactive ones, so I said no this talk was directed to all bible students who are not yet baptised, his wife agreed and said this talk was for ALL newly interested ones NOT for us and she mentioned the above scripture.
Well he raised his voice by telling us he will wait for GB to explain and if not, then that’s that.
I asked another question by saying, we have just had an article: Keep Your Integrity, can you please tell me who was the greatest integrity keeper aside from Jehovah? He replied Jesus, so then I asked him and his wife, how come Jesus was NEVER mentioned not even once in this whole article as?
They were amassed, because they never noticed that point.
Finally I followed with 1 john 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This is how you know that the inspired statement is from God: Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God. 3 But every inspired statement that does not acknowledge Jesus does not originate with God. Furthermore, this is the antichrist’s inspired statement that you have heard was coming, and now it is already in the world.
Finally I said it truly pays to be spiritually AWAKE.
I just thought I might share this conversation with you
Love to allReply by Leonardo Josephus on 2019-04-15 03:58:53
Just keep them on their toes, JB, but be careful. If you use scriptures like 1 John 4, as you did, you will get a reputation. But asking questions is excellent. I did that last week with queries over Luke 22:21 which places Judas present when the bread and wine were passed round. JW speak is that "evidently" he was not there at that point, but with no evidence presented (see Insight book under Judas, or the study notes). Let us see how much of student that elder is.