I had the opportunity a few years ago to preach at a chapel service at West Point Military Academy. At the beginning of the service, the cadets marched down the middle aisle of the spectacular chapel to the sound of an organ. One of these cadets carried a Bible all the way to the front and placed it on a desk to honor the authority and power of the Word of God.

It used to be that the cadets in the academy would pray these words every Sunday at chapel: “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy.”

Those words encapsulate a virtue that is essential for godly masculinity: integrity. These people were willing to abide by such a high moral standard for the love of their country, and to a much greater degree, Christian men ought to have the same kind of integrity for the sake of Christ.

Integrity is a steadfast adherence to a moral code. Regardless of circumstances, the man of integrity is the same person with the same convictions. He is not duplicitous or two-faced, adapting his moral character to the supposed needs of the moment. Instead, there is a simplicity to him. He is the same man at home, work, and church—before watching eyes and when he is alone.

Integrity means that you live by your convictions: You know what you believe, and you act according to what you believe. And consistently so. Psalm 15:4 says that even when a man of integrity promises something “to his own hurt,” he does not change. Although it is costly, he will not be moved from his moral principles.

This kind of uncompromising integrity is severely lacking in men today. We repeatedly watch spiritual leaders collapse. Men abandon conviction when compromise is more beneficial. Men say they believe the Bible—but don’t faithfully preach it. Men say that sin should be punished—but not if it’s committed by their children. Men oppose corruption—until they have to confront someone and risk losing their job. Men maintain high moral standards—until their lusts are kindled by some illicit impulse. Men are honest—until a little dishonesty will save them money. Men hold convictions—until they’re challenged by someone they fear or admire.

The Bible holds up a host of witnesses to the devastation of that kind of compromise:

Adam compromised God’s law and lost paradise (Genesis 3:6, 22–24). Abraham compromised the truth, lied about Sarah’s relationship to him, and nearly lost his wife (Genesis 12:10–20). Moses compromised God’s command and lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7–12). Samson compromised his devotion as a Nazarite and lost his strength, his eyesight, and his life (Judges 16:4–6, 16–31). Israel compromised the commands of the Lord and lost the Ark of God (1 Samuel 4:11). Israel also compromised the law of God with idolatry and lost her land (2 Chronicles 36:14–17). Saul compromised God’s divine word by not slaying all of the animals of his enemy and lost his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:3, 20–28). David compromised God’s standard, committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered Uriah, and lost an infant son (2 Samuel 11:1–12:23). Solomon compromised his convictions, married foreign wives, and ultimately caused the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:1–8).

A Life of Integrity

The life of Daniel stands in contrast to the pattern of compromising men of the past and present. He was such a principled man that his name has become virtually synonymous with integrity. While there are several episodes in his life that demonstrate this, you only have to look to the first chapter of the book of Daniel to see his integrity on display.

Daniel 1 begins with the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, capturing Jerusalem and taking away the best and brightest of the young men as captives (Daniel 1:3­–4). These captives were reeducated over a period of three years to equip them for key positions within government, business, and society. Daniel was among those taken to the king’s court to receive this education.

The curriculum of this program included the study of Chaldean mathematics, astronomy, natural history, agriculture, and architecture. While there was nothing inherently wrong with Daniel learning these things, Babylon’s ultimate goal was to reprogram his spiritual, moral, and ethical convictions. Nebuchadnezzar wanted Daniel and the other young men to deny their Jewish heritage, forsake God, and set aside the truth of His Word.

But Daniel was willing to cooperate only so far: “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).

The Babylonians culminated their educational program for Daniel and his friends by giving them daily rations of the finest royal food and drink. They wanted to entice the Jewish young men with some of the perks available to the upper echelon of Babylonian society. But Daniel didn’t succumb to their temptation and instead stood by his biblical convictions.

Daniel may have been able to tolerate the other aspects of his education, but the matter of food and drink was off limits. He knew the Old Testament dietary restrictions that God had established for His people, including rules for cleanliness in food preparation and consumption (Deuteronomy 12:15–28; 14:1–29). Not only that, but the food and wine served by the Babylonians had been dedicated to their false gods. The Law of Moses forbade the Jews from participating in any form of idolatry (Exodus 20:4–5). Daniel wanted nothing to do with this idolatry, so he could not eat any portion of the royal food offered to foreign gods.

Because Daniel was aware of those biblical guidelines, he drew a hard line regarding the king’s food. His action constitutes a basic aspect of genuine integrity: You must draw lines of conviction where Scripture draws them. Having drawn this line, Daniel had the integrity to live by it. His determination to honor the Lord drove him to action. And in his response to his new situation, he showed several characteristics that are hallmarks of integrity.

First, he possessed an unashamed boldness. Daniel did not take the easy way out when presenting his position to Ashpenaz. Instead, he went straight to the heart of the issue and “sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). Daniel accentuated his boldness by using a strong word, “defile,” which throughout the Old Testament is associated with anything that was an abomination to the Lord.

Daniel did not give an excuse that may have been more palatable to the commander. He did not plead gluten intolerance. Instead, he openly stated that his reason for seeking an exemption was his commitment to Yahweh.

In Daniel’s situation, most men would probably comply with the order of Nebuchadnezzar’s commander. There might be some who would try to avoid it, but by stating reasons that were more agreeable to a Babylonian. Daniel openly stood on the Word of God. Likewise, men of integrity need to boldly define where they stand—for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.

Second, Daniel held to an uncommon standard. Daniel 1:11–­12 says, “Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.’”

Vegetarianism may enjoy acceptance today, but it didn’t in Daniel’s day. Nonetheless, he chose to eat only a vegetable mixture in order to ensure fidelity to God’s law while in Babylon. Beyond this, he also decided not to drink any kind of wine, let alone the king’s wine.

He certainly would have been within the law to drink wine. After all, when properly mixed and diluted, wine was a common part of Jewish society, so drinking it was not wrong (Exodus 29:40–41; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 55:1). But Daniel knew that leaders who were committed to an uncommon standard of spiritual excellence would have to make personal sacrifices (Leviticus 10:8­–11; Numbers 6:1–4; Proverbs 31:4–6). Furthermore, by abstaining from wine he would clearly distinguish himself from the drunkards and gluttons of the Babylonian royal court. So he decided to drink water only.

Daniel saw the wisdom in holding to an uncommon standard that made his devotion to Yahweh unmistakable. This is a typical sign of integrity. A man who is committed to a biblical morality—which seems unusual or crazy to the watching world—is a paragon of true manliness. He will assure himself and those around him that his life is lived for God.

Third, Daniel showed an unhindered persistence. Even though Daniel, with the help of God’s sovereign intervention, made a favorable impression on Ashpenaz and the other royal officials, he did not instantly receive permission to start his vegetarian diet. At first, Ashpenaz, responded: “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king” (Daniel 1:10). Yet Daniel was undaunted and exhibited godly persistence.

Despite the commander’s hesitance to grant his request, Daniel remained steadfast. Without becoming disrespectful, the young captive suggested to the overseer under Ashpenaz—who didn’t bear the same accountability to the king—to test Daniel and his companions on this diet for ten days (Daniel 1:11–12).

Daniel’s perseverance is quite a contrast to countless men. Too often we give up at the first sign of resistance and rationalize our acquiescence with a wimpy excuse: “I wanted to do the right thing, but I couldn’t see any way that it would be possible.” Some will even try superficial alternatives, but they soon give up when those don’t work out. But an uncompromising spirit of integrity never gives up.

Fourth, Daniel had an unblemished faith. Daniel, in his characteristically bold fashion, asked the overseer to grant a ten-day trial for the vegetarian diet: “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see” (Daniel 1:12–13). Daniel was willing to be tested because he believed that if the Lord wanted him there, He would enable him to thrive on the diet that honored God’s law. He was convinced his obedience was pleasing to the Lord and so trusted the Lord to take care of the results.

If a man doesn’t have this kind of faith, his integrity will be short-lived—there are too many obstacles and temptations that come against it. He has to believe that integrity pleases God and that God works through those who live in obedience to His Word. When men have an unblemished faith governed by the right standards—opposing sin and evil, standing for honesty, speaking out for the truth and against error—God will honor that faith.

Fifth, Daniel experienced an unearthly protection. Scripture is filled with the truth that God is pleased with righteousness and blesses those who serve and obey Him (Psalm 92:12–14). Daniel’s life fit that pattern, as evidenced by how he was accepted in Nebuchadnezzar’s court: “God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials” (Daniel 1:9).

What happened to Daniel is an encouraging reminder that God is in control of everything, including what rulers and authorities think, feel, and do. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Neither Ashpenaz nor Nebuchadnezzar could do anything to change God’s plan and blessing for Daniel’s life.

Men are often consumed with reaching prominent places in society, ministry, work, or other contexts, to the point that they will compromise on godly principles. They would rather play politics than obey God and depend on His sovereign protection. But a godly man must stand by biblical convictions and trust in the providence of God to direct his life according to His will. Your responsibility is to obey His Word and live with genuine integrity. When you do so, you will experience the special care God has for His faithful people.

The Results of Integrity

Daniel 1 ends with the vindication of the young man’s integrity. The overseer consented to Daniel’s test and made the necessary evaluation after ten days (Daniel 1:14–16). By God’s grace, Ashpenaz’s aide saw the positive results. Daniel and his friends were thus allowed to continue with their diet and avoid the compromise of consuming the king’s food. In subsequent months and years, Daniel and his companions realized many blessings and privileges in Babylon, but not without hardships that came as a result of their commitment to Yahweh (Daniel 1:17–21).

In a world of compromise, the church needs men of integrity. Men like Daniel, who are marked by unashamed boldness, an uncommon standard, unhindered persistence, unblemished faith, and an unearthly protection.

May God strengthen His church with such men.

(Adapted from The Power of Integrity.)