Integrity When No One (and Everyone) is Watching
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." - Colossians 3:23
Integrity isn’t just about doing the right thing when no one is watching, it’s about doing the right thing when everyone is watching.
It’s easy to focus on the quiet moments of character, the times when no one sees, when no one is there to hold you accountable. That’s where integrity starts. But what happens when your faithfulness starts opening doors? What happens when people are watching? When the success you once prayed for finally comes? Do you use it to serve yourself, or do you continue to serve God?
Joseph had to learn this lesson long before he saw his dream come true. As a slave in Potiphar’s house, no one would have blamed him if he chose to cut corners or take shortcuts. But he didn’t. He was faithful, even when he had no idea where it was leading. Then, when he was thrown into prison for something he didn’t even do, he still refused to compromise his integrity. He worked, served, and honored God, not because it benefited him, but because it was right.
And then came the moment when everyone was watching. Joseph went from the pit to the palace, standing before Pharaoh, to being given authority over all of Egypt. And when he finally had power, when his influence was at its highest, he had a choice. Would he use it for himself? Would he take revenge on his brothers? Would he make his position all about him?
He didn’t. He continued to walk in integrity, using his success to serve God and save others.
The same can be true for you. God will test your character when no one is watching, but He will also test it when everyone is. The influence, success, and platform you are praying for are not just for you. They are meant to glorify God. They are meant to serve others.
So whether you’re in a season where no one notices you or a season where everyone is watching, the call is the same: stay faithful. Walk in integrity. Serve with humility. Because in the end, it’s not about success or notoriety; it’s about honoring the One who put you there in the first place.
Integrity isn’t just about doing the right thing when no one is watching, it’s about doing the right thing when everyone is watching.
It’s easy to focus on the quiet moments of character, the times when no one sees, when no one is there to hold you accountable. That’s where integrity starts. But what happens when your faithfulness starts opening doors? What happens when people are watching? When the success you once prayed for finally comes? Do you use it to serve yourself, or do you continue to serve God?
Joseph had to learn this lesson long before he saw his dream come true. As a slave in Potiphar’s house, no one would have blamed him if he chose to cut corners or take shortcuts. But he didn’t. He was faithful, even when he had no idea where it was leading. Then, when he was thrown into prison for something he didn’t even do, he still refused to compromise his integrity. He worked, served, and honored God, not because it benefited him, but because it was right.
And then came the moment when everyone was watching. Joseph went from the pit to the palace, standing before Pharaoh, to being given authority over all of Egypt. And when he finally had power, when his influence was at its highest, he had a choice. Would he use it for himself? Would he take revenge on his brothers? Would he make his position all about him?
He didn’t. He continued to walk in integrity, using his success to serve God and save others.
The same can be true for you. God will test your character when no one is watching, but He will also test it when everyone is. The influence, success, and platform you are praying for are not just for you. They are meant to glorify God. They are meant to serve others.
So whether you’re in a season where no one notices you or a season where everyone is watching, the call is the same: stay faithful. Walk in integrity. Serve with humility. Because in the end, it’s not about success or notoriety; it’s about honoring the One who put you there in the first place.
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1 Comment
I was thinking about all these things I have learned from this and I can’t honestly be real here unless without just saying i am so grateful for God working in my life. I used to live my life with all these limitations holding me back on what I believed was even possible. Now it’s like all these doors have opened. Not like new jobs or promotions but the closed doors and limitations on my character. My success lies for me not in what kind of material or worldly success I gain but in how close I am with Him. I don’t want to just be a servant but His best friend. He’s the one i will be spending eternity with. Since I have been doing that, everything else turns to gold.