Wikipedia defines integrity as “the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.”

Adversity is the integrity test.

Problems tend to change our perspective on what is right and wrong. In 2020, COVID was an integrity test for many students. In December that year, Texas A&M reported that hundreds of students were found turning in an online exam less than a minute after beginning it. Officials found the test questions and answers on what was supposed to be a homework help site. The University of Houston also had double reports of academic dishonesty during the COVID school year.

When cheating students were asked why, they said they felt justified. Some teachers hadn’t been teaching well. Learning online had been difficult.

Jarrod Morgan, president of ProctorU says, “Everyone is the hero of their own stories and students that cheat like this don’t see themselves as doing anything inherently dishonest.” And yet, aren’t they?

In spite of the good excuses for cheating, not every student did. Perhaps they didn’t perform well on the written test because of it, but they passed God’s test. Perhaps those students knew that God can care for their future in spite of a rough school year.

Maintaining integrity in tough times is proof of faith.