INTEGRITY (MATTHEW 5:27-37)

REFLECTION The concept of integrity is often reduced to “doing the right thing when no one is watching,” but in the Kingdom of God, it runs much deeper. Integrity is the seamless alignment of our internal thoughts, our private desires, and our public declarations with the holiness of God. In Matthew 5:27-37, Jesus Christ raises…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jan 16, 2026

3–5 minutes

bible, christianity, faith, jesus, god

REFLECTION

The concept of integrity is often reduced to “doing the right thing when no one is watching,” but in the Kingdom of God, it runs much deeper. Integrity is the seamless alignment of our internal thoughts, our private desires, and our public declarations with the holiness of God. In Matthew 5:27-37, Jesus Christ raises the bar of moral conduct from mere legalistic compliance to a radical transformation of the heart. To have integrity is to be whole and undivided; it is the refusal to allow a chasm to exist between our spiritual professions and our actual practice. This passage provides us with three vital lessons: the necessity of internal purity, the demand for radical sacrifice in the pursuit of holiness, and the absolute requirement for unwavering truthfulness in our speech.

The Inner Sanctuary of Purity

Jesus begins by addressing the heart, the wellspring of all human action. He challenges the traditional understanding of adultery, moving beyond the physical act to the orientation of the soul. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Here, integrity is defined as purity of thought. True integrity does not congratulate itself merely because it has avoided public scandal; it seeks to honour God in the secret chambers of the mind. In a world that constantly bombards us with provocative imagery and encourages the commodification of others, the Christian is called to a higher standard. For example, a person may remain physically faithful to a spouse while mentally entertaining illicit fantasies; Jesus warns that such a person lacks the wholeness of integrity. We are reminded of Psalm 51:6, which says, “Surely you desire integrity in the inner cells; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”+1

The Cost of Radical Holiness

Integrity requires decisive action against anything that threatens our relationship with God. Jesus uses vivid, hyperbolic language to illustrate the seriousness of sin: “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29). This is the “surgery of the soul.” Practical integrity means setting boundaries—perhaps it is ending a toxic friendship, installing internet filters, or walking away from a lucrative but dishonest business deal. It is the willingness to suffer personal or financial loss to keep one’s character intact. As Proverbs 11:3 declares, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” If we value our reputation more than our character, we have already compromised our integrity.+1

The Power of a Simple “Yes”

Finally, Jesus addresses the integrity of our words. He critiques the practice of using elaborate oaths to make oneself sound more believable, asserting that a person of integrity should not need to swear by anything to be trusted. “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). In our modern context, this translates to keeping our promises even when it is inconvenient. If you commit to a task at church, a deadline at work, or a promise to a child, integrity demands that you follow through. Using “technicalities” to get out of a contract or “half-truths” to save face is a violation of the Kingdom standard. James echoes this sentiment, stating, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (James 5:12).

Conclusion

In summary, the integrity described in Matthew 5:27-37 is a call to total transparency before God and man. It teaches us that sin begins in the heart and must be dealt with at its root, that no sacrifice is too great for the sake of holiness, and that our words must be so reliable that oaths become unnecessary. When we live with integrity, we reflect the nature of our Heavenly Father, who is perfectly consistent and true. Let us strive this day to be people whose “Yes” truly means “Yes,” and whose hearts are as pure as the lives we present to the world.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the high calling of integrity. I ask for Your forgiveness for the times I have allowed my heart to wander or my words to be deceptive. Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Give me the courage to cut off the habits and associations that lead me away from You. Help me to be a person of my word today, reflecting Your truth in all I do. May my life be a seamless garment of praise to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.