Live With Integrity — Even When No One’s Watching
Grow in Christlike character while earning your degree at GCU. Pursue a Christian education that shapes both your faith and your future.
Written By
Kayleigh Shaw
Professional Writing Student
Grow in Christlike character while earning your degree at GCU. Pursue a Christian education that shapes both your faith and your future.
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1. Cambridge Dictionary. (2026). Integrity. Retrieved December 2025.
Approved and verified accurate by the Local Outreach Ministry Coordinator of Spiritual Life on Jan. 7, 2026.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
When surrounded by others, we try to live with the fruits of the Spirit as we engage with them, but alone, it can be a different story. It can be hard to represent those same characteristics when there is no one to hold us accountable, leading us to stray instead of following the Lord.
This can make it difficult to understand your own personal beliefs and character when they change based on who is in the room. To maintain the integrity revolving the fruits of the spirit and become more Christlike, we must look at how we behave and seek the changes through the Lord.
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.(See disclaimer 1 )Having integrity means that you are following the morals you have with a strong sense of purpose and honesty. When applied in the context of Christianity, these principles remain constant, guiding how you treat others and influencing the way you view life.
It can be challenging to maintain these principles as imperfect people; however, if we are not upholding them alone, what does it mean when we are with others? Even if I get jealous or angry, we are human. But to consistently dwell on them and then treat others as if nothing is wrong in person is dishonest. This only encourages the negative feelings and does not allow you to address why you are feeling this way. It can be hard to communicate our feelings, but this only lets us avoid reality.
Maintaining integrity isn’t just about how we act around others — it’s about who we are when no one is watching. This devotional explores what true integrity means, why it matters and practical ways to live with honesty and Christlike character every day.
Thinking about how to maintain your integrity while struggling with internal issues can be hard to know where to start. Many people think that you need to immediately start a to-do list and avoid negative things like cursing or vulgar music, but it is much simpler than you might think. Here are some ways you can practice maintaining a clear integrity that is centered around Christ:
Praying for understanding of your actions and the company you keep can bring some clarity to what is important to the Lord and what you might be struggling with internally. Often, just verbalizing or writing things out can bring to your mind something you have been missing, as you have never thought about it in depth before.
Reflecting on your actions starts with asking the right questions. These prompts can help you identify areas for growth and help align your choices with Christ-centered integrity.
Looking at each aspect of your life, you can identify areas where you need to improve, such as in the classroom and respecting your professors, or in your church activities. Additionally, it can help you see things beyond yourself, such as your friends and family and how each relationship is unique. If you need to initiate a conversation with someone you don’t know, you should.
It can be challenging to consistently act in ways that reflect your integrity. Mistakes are a normal part of the process.
"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
The primary purpose of our time on Earth is to make mistakes, learn from them and choose to follow Christ. Bullying yourself for the mistakes you make can only make it harder for you to follow the goals you set for yourself, as it will only make you feel less capable. Making mistakes will only lead you to improvement and a better understanding of yourself and your relationship with Christ.
