Have you ever considered the type of person who is close to God? David pondered that question in Psalm 15,

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill? (Psalm 15:1)

Psalm 15 is a didactic Psalm revealing the type of person who is close to God. The next verse answers the question showing us the character of a righteous person,

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart. (Psalm 15:2)

Positively, we see that a righteous person walks in integrity. The word “integrity” is the Hebrew word תָּמִים tâmîym and it conveys the meaning of being complete, full, or perfect and implies integrity and truth without blemish. Integrity implies total congruence between who we are and what we do. This is the person who works righteousness and whose words are truthful. This person’s life may be reflected in the following verse,

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

The next verse reveals what a righteous person does not do,

He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; (Psalm 15:3)

David then shows us the cost of being a righteous person,

In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change; (Psalm 15:4)

We are to keep our word even if is costly. These are words that we may not want to hear but it’s what we need to hear.  This reminds me of the story of four guys who had skipped a class and they concocted a story that they had a flat tire. The teacher was quite understanding and she said, “That’s fine, you just need to make up a brief quiz.” The boys sat down and under her watchful eyes she asked them one question to write down on their paper, “Which tire was flat?” Sir Walter Scott said it well, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!”

We must realize that we must do what is right, not what is easy. Your character is more important than momentary gain,

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

Finally, we see the confidence of a righteous person,

He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:5)

This is a person who can trust in God’s protection and and is not going to gain financial security at the expense of others. The word “shaken” is fairly common in the Psalms revealing the confidence we have in God. I am learning that it is best to admit my faults right away before someone else exaggerates them. Alan Simpson gives us a good perspective, “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” May we be people who are close to God.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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