Proverbs 31 is known for its description of the virtuous woman, also known as the excellent wife.* Job 31 provides a similar type of description for the man. It outlines what a man of integrity looks like.
Integrity is an uprightness of character that is displayed in every area of life. It is complete and consistent, not selective and sporadic. It is vital that men have integrity. By examining this chapter, we can see how to become men of integrity.
A Covenant Made
The first thing mentioned in this chapter is that Job made a covenant: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1). This was specifically about avoiding lust, but the covenant would apply to all matters of one’s integrity.
There are certain things necessary in order to make and keep a covenant:
- Understanding – Before making a covenant to do what is right, we need to know the difference between right and wrong. This requires us to know God’s word. As the psalmist wrote, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
- Decision – God allows us to make choices. This is why Joshua was able to challenge the people, “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Once we know what is right, we must decide to do it.
- Long-term commitment – Integrity is not a trend or a fad. Faithfulness must last a lifetime. The church in Smyrna was told, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
- Diligent execution – When we make a covenant, we are promising to do something. If we make a promise but neglect to fulfill it, we are not acting with integrity. Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
When Job made a covenant, he made a decision based upon what was right, committed himself to do what was right, and put it into practice throughout his life. If we are to be men of integrity, we must do the same.
Characteristics to Possess
A man of integrity is going to be blameless. Job said, “If my step has turned from the way, or my heart followed my eyes, or if any spot has stuck to my hands, let me sow and another eat, and let my crops be uprooted” (Job 31:7-8). He challenged anyone to find any corruption in him, knowing that he consistently did what was right. This kind of integrity will be seen in various ways:
- Honesty – “If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hastened after deceit, let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity” (Job 31:5-6). Paul wrote, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25). In our dealings with people around us, we must not deceive them or unscrupulously take advantage of them. Instead, we must “have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21).
- Purity – “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or I have lurked at my neighbor’s doorway, may my wife grind for another, and let others kneel down over her. For that would be a lustful crime; moreover, it would be an iniquity punishable by judges” (Job 31:9-11). We already noticed Job’s opening statement about making a covenant with his eyes not to look at a virgin (Job 31:1). This is a continuation of that thought. Purity begins with the heart and what we choose to dwell on. Jesus warned about committing adultery in our hearts by lusting after a woman (Matthew 5:27-28), which warns us to be careful with our thoughts. In addition to this, to maintain purity, we should avoid unnecessary and dangerous situations, as the wise man warned his son about the adulteress: “Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house” (Proverbs 5:8). One sin can change one’s life forever.
- Fairness – “If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves when they filed a complaint against me, what then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make him, and the same one fashion us in the womb?” (Job 31:13-15). We are not to think of ourselves as being better than others, regardless of our class or economic status. Paul warned that we are “not to think more highly of [ourselves] than [we] ought to think” (Romans 12:3). All are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and, therefore, are equal before Him.
- Benevolence – “If I have kept the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the orphan has not shared it… If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or that the needy had no covering, if his loins have not thanked me, and if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep…” (Job 31:16-17, 19-20). We are to “do good to all people” as “we have opportunity” to do so (Galatians 6:10). Paul talked about the need for Christians to “labor…so that [we] will have something to share with one who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). This should not be done with ulterior motives, hoping that we might someday receive some repayment for the goodness we showed. Jesus spoke of hosting a dinner and inviting only those who could return the favor, saying that instead we should invite those in need who could never repay us (Luke 14:12-14). The latter will be regarded and rewarded by God.
- Humility – “If I have gloated because my wealth was great, and because my hand had secured so much…” (Job 31:25). Our wealth, if we are blessed with such, does not define who we are. Jesus warned, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). David, who was a wealthy man, wrote the following: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). To remain humble, we need to remember our place before God. No matter how “great” we think we are in this life, we are nothing compared with Him.
Behaviors to Avoid
Not only will a man of integrity possess certain characteristics, but he will also avoid various sinful behaviors:
- Trusting in riches – “If I have put my confidence in gold, and called fine gold my trust…” (Job 31:24). Job was wealthy (at least before he lost everything, Job 1:3, 13-19). Being wealthy is not inherently wrong. However, if God has blessed us in this way, we need to guard against trusting in riches. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Rather than trusting in riches, we are to trust in God.
- Rejoicing over the calamity of others – “Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, or exulted when evil befell him? No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life in a curse” (Job 31:29-30). We should desire good for others. Paul wrote, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Jesus went so far as to apply this to our enemies: “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45). Treating them in this way could lead them to have a change of heart (2 Timothy 2:24-26), but rejoicing when they face calamity only turns them further against us.
- Taking advantage of others – “If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together; if I have eaten its fruit without money, or have caused its owners to lose their lives, let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley” (Job 31:38-40). When we are able to do so, we must pay for what we receive. Paul made sure to do this in Thessalonica, even though he could have received support for his work in preaching, so that he could set an example for them (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). In all that we do, we must act with love (1 Corinthians 16:14), and love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Conclusion
A man of integrity will make a covenant to be such. He will do what is right and avoid what is wrong. The characteristics and behaviors we have discussed do not provide an exhaustive list, but they do help us know where to start if we want to develop integrity. Let us commit to following this example of Job.
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* For more on this, see the article, The Character of the Excellent Wife.
