Questions of Integrity

You will need people to vouch for you when your character is in question

Good morning!

Have you ever had your character or integrity questioned?

This is one of those very difficult challenges that can very rarely be navigated through without hitting any snags.

If someone attacks your character or questions your integrity — assuming that you are an honest man or woman and your actions exemplify that well — you are in a weird situation because if you defend yourself and confess your good deeds, you immediately lose all claims to humility, and if you stay silent, some may view a plea of no contest as admittance of guilt.

It is in those situations that, with my limited experience and wisdom, I can only suggest one solution: have character witnesses that can speak up for you and defend your character on your behalf.

The book of Proverbs says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.” To speak well of yourself will be perceived as pride, and you must have others around you who can testify to your character; not just when applying for a job or apartment, but for those times when your integrity will be questioned.

The best thing you can do while you’re not under attack is to prepare for it; you can’t parade all your good works to the public to improve your image, as that’s counter-productive, but you need to make sure that you have a small handful of people around you that see how you operate. Find people that know how you act in difficult situations, who know what choices you make and how you deal with issues, etc.

Find your people; if you don’t, your best chance is to stay silent and resist your questioners by a plea of no contest, refusing to either confirm or deny their allegations against you.

God bless you, have a great day!