Because of what is happening in the Church where forms of deception are becoming visible, we can learn something from how David was able to lead faithfully in private and in public.

When David was king, he led his home the same way he ruled the nation. There was no difference. David did not live with a double standard.

David’s integrity was first tested in his home: “I will be careful to live a blameless life. I will lead a life of integrity in my own home” (Psalm 101:2). David’s private life was the same as his public life. That is what true integrity looks like.

As a result of David’s integrity, he said, “I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride” (vs. 4-5).

When David ventured out from his home, he took his integrity with him. It defined how he would lead the nation. If our integrity is intact and functioning at home, it will withstand the tests of public opposition that challenge it, as well as any influence that attempts to draw us into a sinful compromise.

David’s personal integrity helped him make choices that would determine how he would lead in public and the people he would allow to surround and support his leadership.

“I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip” (vs. 6-8).

To Satan, the most dangerous people are those whose integrity at home is the same as how it functions publicly in society. If God cannot trust us because we have a double standard between how we live in our home and how we live in public, we will become part of the problem, not part of God’s solution.

Integrity first happens at home, where we test its strength and power in private. Only when we pass that test in the privacy of our home are we suited to serve God in any public capacity, especially behind a pulpit where we have been called to declare God’s truth without compromise.