Our integrity as Christians reflects on God and reflects the God in us! None of us are perfect, but we can be authentic, grow in character, and live in a way that makes people trust us and want to associate with us. The minor choices we make when nobody is watching will add up to make a big impact when people are watching. Our personal integrity will define us.
It is dangerous to make a habit of compromising our integrity when it is a “private matter”. The wrong private decisions add up to public troubles. Live with integrity every day and you will always make a positive impact.
Consider Daniel:
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10).
Daniel’s private prayer led to a very public trial in a den of lions. When God delivered him, the public impact spread far and wide!
Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:25-27)