Leaving a Distinctive Mark
Building a legacy of character, integrity, and accountability.

Rod Handley | posted 5/05/2009

As I have traveled the country during the last 20 years, I have listened attentively to people speak on the importance of character. However, public opinion polls raise the question of whether character truly matters anymore.

I propose that it does, and that society will place a higher premium on character in the upcoming years. We see indicators of this: Moral issues gain greater emphasis during political elections, from the media, pulpits, and talk shows. Public and private schools are even showing a resurgence in character-forming education.

It's been said that ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there. A person of character is marked by notable and conspicuous traits. Character cannot be purchased. It's a quality of life lived. Horace Greeley said it this way: "Fame is a vapor. Popularity is an accident. Money takes wings. Those who cheer you today will curse you tomorrow. The only thing that endures is character."

I'm concerned that character is lacking in society, especially when it involves Christian believers. Numerous studies indicate that Christians are just as likely as non-Christians to falsify tax returns, plagiarize, bribe, shift blame, ignore construction specifications, illegally copy software, steal from the workplace, and selectively obey the laws of the land. Many believers have convinced themselves that their actions are justified.

For example, our local newspaper reported on a man who claimed to have cancer. Apparently he was good at faking seizures and had shaved his head to show the effects of chemotherapy. What caught my attention was that this individual was a deacon in his church. His congregation had given a significant amount of money to help with his "mounting health bills." What a shock and disappointment it was for people to discover his lie.

Developing Character

Prior to the 1960s, character development and a strong sense of right and wrong were taught early in life. Appropriate behaviors were taught in homes, schools, and churches. We then moved from developing internal character to teaching external appearances of charisma and personality techniques. Success models were designed to help people achieve results without impacting one's deep inner fiber.

We have exchanged truth for a lie, and today in America we're reaping what we have sown with some of the highest levels of immorality, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, abortion, teenage pregnancy, murder, divorce, and pornography.

Good old-fashioned character is based on Jesus Christ. Emulating him should be the goal of every believer. This will cause true character to take root in our hearts. We become authentic. Unless we as Christians take this first step, society will continue to deteriorate. Man-made character will crumble when faced with adversity and failure. Character developed and molded through Christ will stand.

What is character? The word actually comes from the idea of an engraving. In the printing business, each letter is called a character. The idea is that each letter leaves a distinctive mark. Thus, a person's character is defined by the mark he or she leaves behind. Character is the sum of a person's values, actions, and attitudes. Your character is a product of your heart. From the heart flow moral courage, conviction, compassion, and numerous other character qualities. Our character, good or bad, is based on the imprint we leave.

Good character is the will to do right no matter what the cost or consequences. True character is developed over time, in multiple situations and environments, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and use the Bible as our standard. Unfortunately, modern society has prioritized two things over character: achievement and fulfillment. This creates a new morality in which almost anything can be justified.

Being, Not Just Doing

Often integrity is substituted for the word character. But I believe they are two very different things. While character focuses on right actions and behaviors, integrity pushes beyond actions and gets to the soul. Integrity comes from the Latin word integritas, which means wholeness, entireness, or completeness. The root word integer is often used in math to represent a whole number, meaning untouched, intact, and entire. Integrity literally means you have a complete soul. It's not synonymous with right behavior, though right behaviors will often follow. It is related to being rather than doing. You don't attain true integrity through a series of behaviors, but by being internally transformed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Integrity instilled in the heart is highly prized by God. In fact, it thrills God when we demonstrate integrity. In Psalm 15, look at the Lord's reply to the psalmist's inquiry as to what delights a holy God. The answer is, "He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor … He who does these things will never be shaken" (NASB).

Integrity is at the heart and core of survival for nations and individuals. So why do so many dismiss it as optional? We cannot place confidence in our own integrity or relax and become lazy, or we will soon regress. Ted Engstrom said, "No matter how much we try to hide our actions, our integrity (or lack of it) always shows through."

The Role of Accountability

Accountability. People are afraid of the word. By definition it means to "report, explain, or justify yourself to another person." Who wants to do that? I know my human nature wants to run from accountability. But in my pursuit of character (doing right) and integrity (being whole), accountability is crucial. Engstrom said, "Integrity is the greatest prize of accountability. Accountability starts with yours truly—with an honest appraisal of who we are, of what makes us tick."

Being accountable is being responsible and answerable to someone.

Genuine Christians desire to live for Jesus Christ and obey him. Yet temptations are real and powerful. Our flesh, sin nature, and Satan himself constantly challenge our faith. Today, our churches and ministries are littered with examples of men and women who have had visible public failures, destroying many loved ones' lives as secret sin was exposed. The stark reality is that each one of us, me included, is capable of falling. Every Christian needs accountability in his or her life.

Many are unwilling to develop close, intimate friendships or answer to anyone. This is especially true for leaders. Reasons can include lack of time, a desire to maintain privacy, mistrust of others due to past hurts, a fear of rejection, a secret pattern of sin, and an unwillingness to change and get help—just to name a few. Pride is one of the greatest enemies of accountability.

We are taught to be autonomous, efficient, goal-oriented, disconnected, unemotional, and self-sufficient. But we are kidding ourselves if we think we can run the Christian race alone. Scripture shows us that God designed us to be in relationship with one another. Of course there are times when we must walk alone and be a shining light to the world. But we each need a person of refuge who is committed to helping restore and equip us to walk in the path God has set before us.

Being accountable is being responsible and answerable to someone. It means owning up to past hurts and present shortcomings by committing to positive change. It requires courage and a new plan of action. Every person needs protection from self and a safety net.

Since 1990, I have been blessed to be part of a group of men who have helped me navigate through many life experiences. They have been instrumental in my growth, and continue to pray diligently for me. As I fulfill my roles as husband and father, they are my advisers, and help keep me on the straight and narrow path. It is a wonderful gift to gather with people who really love and accept you, pray for you, and are willing to honestly confront you by asking hard questions. Believe me, my family and professional career benefit from their input. I eagerly look forward to our weekly time together because I know I'll be sharper and better equipped to fulfill the calling God has on my life.

There are many Scriptures that validate the importance of accountability, including Proverbs 11:14; 9:8-9; 12:1; 27:6, ; Hebrews 3:13; James 5:16; and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. In fact, the New Living Translation of Ecclesiastes 4:10 says it this way: "Someone who falls alone is in real trouble."

If you don't have an accountability group in place, I urge you to prayerfully consider starting one. Begin with one person, but pray for three or four others to join you. Your relationship with Christ will deepen alongside these friendships.

Rod Handley is founder and president of Character That Counts, a ministry committed to communicating life principles of integrity and accountability. He previously served as the COO/CFO for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Rod has authored 12 books, including the bestseller Character Counts: Who's Counting Yours? E-mail Rod at rhandley@kc.rr.com or visit CharacterThatCounts.org.

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