“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:4–6 (NLT)
There is an unparalleled integrity that is cultivated when we live our lives before God. Paul and his companions didn’t shape their message to win applause. They didn’t use flattery, manipulate emotions, or chase influence. Why? Because they weren’t living for the approval of people—they were living before the eyes of God.
When our lives are lived only before others, our integrity can drift to the level of what people can see. It becomes easier to perform than to be real. But when we walk closely with God—when we know that He alone examines the motives of our hearts—we begin to develop whole life integrity. That means doing the right thing, even when no one sees. It means being faithful in the small things, honoring God in our conversations, our work, our habits, and our decisions.
Prayer: God, help me to live before You with sincerity and truth. Teach me to care more about Your approval than the praise of others. Shape in me a heart of integrity that honors You in all things, seen and unseen. Amen.