Integrity

If something is credible, it is believable. A credible witness is one whose testimony is trustworthy. His life and his words line up together.

The word authentic goes from English back to French back to Latin and ultimately to the Greek authentikos. It means “conforming to the original” or “reproducing the essential features” of something, as in “authentic French cuisine.”

 If something is authentic, it is not a fake or an imitation. Collectors will pay a lot of money for an authentic Abraham Lincoln signature. Another definition says that authentic means “being actually and exactly what is claimed,” and the example given is “genuine maple syrup.” Not watered-down, but maple syrup through and through. Therefore to be credible means that you are believable and to be authentic means that you are genuine and real, not a fake or phony.

Put the words together and a credible, authentic leader is someone who can be trusted because he is what he professes to be. He is the real deal, what you see is what you get.

Pollsters tell us that confidence in religious leaders has declined in the last few years. With all the scandals involving ministers lately, it’s not surprising that people look at spiritual leaders with jaundiced eyes. When I was serving at one of my former churches I had a good friend who had access to several major ministry folks in radio and television. He was deeply saddened at the carnality that existed when they walked away from the microphone. He told me then that very, very, very few of them exercise humility in their lifestyle. He also said that many people would turn the dial if they knew how these men talked and conducted themselves in private away from the cameras.

 Here are some observations about credibility.

-Credibility is earned over a long period of time.
-Credibility is not about what you do or what you say. It’s about who you are on the inside.
-You cannot fool the people closest to you forever.
-Your ministry will have lasting impact in direct proportion to the integrity of your own life.
-The great enemies of credibility are pride, arrogance, isolation, and excessive self-confidence.
-Ironically the more gifted you are and the more successful you are, the easier it becomes to fake your way through life.
-Credibility once lost is very difficult to regain.

 What qualities then does God use to mark a person as credible and authentic?

-Honesty.
-Willingness to admit your faults.
-Consistency.
-Kindness under pressure.
-Accountability in the small areas of life.
-Willingness to answer hard questions.
-Quick to take blame, quick to praise others.
-Not taking yourself too seriously.
-Knowing your own limitations.

-Not blaming others for your own problems.
-Confrontable.
-Approachable.
-Handling anger appropriately.
-Not offended when others get the credit you deserve (no need to brag).
-Keeping your word.

There’s another word for living like this. We call it integrity.