“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel… but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful.” — Daniel 6:4
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Identify common forms of workplace dishonesty
- Apply integrity to time, money, information, and speech
- Learn from Daniel's example
- Plan how to respond to pressure to be dishonest
Lesson Notes
Daniel: Nothing to Find
Daniel served in a foreign government. His rivals searched for anything to accuse him of and found nothing, forasmuch as he was faithful. Integrity is not perfection; it is a pattern of honesty so consistent that accusations don't stick.
Everyday Integrity
- Time: accurate timesheets; working when on the clock.
- Money and property: no taking supplies home, no padding expense reports.
- Information: keeping confidences; accurate records.
- Speech: no lies to cover mistakes; no exaggerating on résumés or reports.
Small Compromises
Most integrity failures start small: a few extra minutes on a timesheet, a pen taken home, a small lie to avoid embarrassment. Small compromises make larger ones easier. Faithfulness in little protects faithfulness in much (Luke 16:10).
When You're Pressured
If a coworker or supervisor pressures you to be dishonest, stay calm, ask clarifying questions, state your concern respectfully (I'm not comfortable changing that date; can we check the correct procedure?), and follow your organization's reporting policy if needed.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Consistency between values and actions |
| Time theft | Being paid for time not worked |
| Whistleblowing | Reporting wrongdoing through proper channels |
In-Class Activities
Gray Areas
Rate each from 1 (fine) to 5 (serious) and discuss: making a personal call on work time; taking home printer paper for your child's homework; rounding your clock-in time; telling a caller your supervisor is in a meeting when she is at lunch; claiming a coworker's idea.
Respectful Refusal
Write how you would respond if a supervisor asked you to backdate a document to meet a deadline.
Assignment: Integrity Case Study
Read the case study about an office assistant asked to adjust inventory numbers.
- Identify the integrity issue.
- List her options and the consequences of each.
- Write what you would do and why, with one Scripture.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Daniel's enemies could find nothing to accuse him of. Integrity can be rebuilt. What would it look like for your reputation, over the next five years, to be one where people can find no occasion against you?
Prayer focus: Ask God to make you a woman of integrity in small things and large.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Nothing to Find
Daniel served in the government of a foreign empire. Jealous rivals searched his work for anything they could use against him. They found nothing, forasmuch as he was faithful (Daniel 6:4). Their only option was to attack his faith.
That is integrity: a life so consistently honest that accusations can't stick. It's not perfection. It is a pattern.
At work, integrity shows up in small things: honest timesheets, not taking supplies home, not lying to cover mistakes, keeping confidences, giving credit to others. Most integrity failures begin with small compromises that make the next one easier.
If your past includes dishonesty, integrity can be rebuilt. It starts with the next honest choice, and the next. Over time, a new pattern becomes a new reputation.
Think About It
- Where are small compromises most tempting for you? ______________________
- What would it take for people to find no fault in your work? ______________________
- How can integrity be rebuilt? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 3
Found Faithful
Forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.— Daniel 6:4 (KJV)
A pattern of faithfulness protects you.
Reflect: What pattern do you want to build?
Pray: Lord, make me faithful like Daniel.
Do: Make one honest choice that costs you something.
Walking Uprightly
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.— Proverbs 10:9 (KJV)
Honest living brings security and peace.
Reflect: Where would honesty give you more peace?
Pray: Lord, help me walk uprightly.
Do: Tell the truth when it's inconvenient.
Faithful in Little
He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.— Luke 16:10 (KJV)
Small choices reveal and shape character.
Reflect: What small compromise do you need to stop?
Pray: Lord, make me faithful in small things.
Do: Record something with complete accuracy.
Clean Hands
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?… He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.— Psalm 24:3–4 (KJV)
Integrity is both outward (hands) and inward (heart).
Reflect: Where do you need clean hands or a pure heart?
Pray: Lord, create in me clean hands and a pure heart.
Do: Confess one area where you need God's cleansing.
Made New
Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Your past does not define your integrity going forward.
Reflect: What new pattern is God building in you?
Pray: Lord, make my character new.
Do: Write one integrity commitment.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Daniel's rivals could find no fault because he was:
- 2.
Which is time theft?
- 3.
If pressured to falsify a record, the best first step is:
- 4.
Most integrity failures start with small compromises.
- 5.
Name four areas where integrity applies at work.