Living with Integrity

I’ve been reading Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, and I’ll admit, sometimes the Old Testament can be hard to understand. God can seem harsh at times, but lately, as I dive in and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding through His incredible wisdom, I’m starting to see what God is really saying and how it applies to my life today. He’s been revealing areas in my life that I really need to work on.

Understanding Malachi 2:1-8
In this passage, God is speaking directly to the priests of Israel, rebuking them for their failure to honor Him. They had a sacred duty to lead and instruct people in His ways, but instead, they became corrupt, careless, and misleading.

Verses 1-2 – A Warning to Those in Leadership
“And now, you priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.”

God isn’t just addressing the priests of Israel; He’s addressing anyone who holds influence. That includes me. Whether in my family, my workplace, my church, or my friendships, I have a responsibility to reflect God’s truth. But if I don’t take that responsibility seriously—if I’m careless with my actions and words—there are consequences.

This makes me think and ask myself am I honoring God in how I live and speak? Or am I dishonoring Him by being careless with my leading, words and attitude?

Verses 3-4 – Serious Consequences for Disobedience
“Because of you, I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty.

This is strong language. God is saying that their corruption will not only affect them but will have consequences for those who come after them. That’s a sobering thought.

As I reflected on this I asked myself how do my words and actions impact the people around me—especially those who look up to me? Am I setting an example that leads others to God, or am I making it harder for them to trust Him?

Verses 5-7 – God’s Standard for Leadership
“My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips; he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.”

This is what God originally intended for His priests—to lead with truth, integrity, and reverence for Him. But instead, they had become self-serving. This reminded me that God calls me to a higher standard, too.

This verse challenges me personally:

Am I standing in awe of God, or have I become too casual in my faith?
Am I speaking truth, or do I sometimes let dishonesty or harshness take over?
Am I someone who helps others grow closer to God, or am I leading them further away—maybe without even realizing it?

Verse 8 – The Heart of the Problem
“But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty.

God is telling the priests: You were supposed to guide people to Me, but instead, you’ve led them away. That’s a serious accusation. And while I may not be a priest, my words and actions still have influence.

So I asked myself have my words, actions, and leading ever caused someone to stumble? Have I ever hurt someone with my direction, attitude or tone? Have I ever made it harder for someone to see Jesus because of how I acted?

As I tied everything together I read this morning this passage is a wake-up call. God is serious about integrity, especially when it comes to how we lead others—whether through our words, actions, or influence. He’s not just speaking to priests; He’s speaking to anyone who claims to follow Him.

For me, this passage highlights a few things:

I need to take my words seriously. If I’m careless with how I speak—if I’m harsh, impatient, or unkind—it doesn’t just affect me. It can cause real harm.
God calls me to a higher standard. I’m supposed to reflect His truth and love, not just in what I believe but in how I act.
This is a warning, but also an invitation. God doesn’t call me out just to condemn me—He wants me to turn back to Him, to do better, to honor Him in how I speak and live.