When it comes down to it integrity is all you really have. After all the dressing up and smiling one does it really comes down to the truth. If you think about the word by definition you will see that there is no way to get around it.
Integrity[in-teg-ri-tee]
–noun
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.
I was preparing myself for the day and the thought hit me; How many times do we tell the truth and how many times do we tell lies?
If you think about some of us have a pretty hard time with lying to the point that we do not even know it anymore. Some of us have developed our lying skills to such a degree, that we do it as a first instead of a last resort.
The sad part is that many of us do it to the one's we love or at least claim to and often use it as a means to protect them. This is of course is a weak argument, because there should not be a need to protect someone from the truth. The one who withholds the truth is actually a danger to the person they wish to protect.
Now I am sure that there are people that may argue the previous point and say that there a various circumstances that lies should be permitted. Some will argue the definition of truth and reality. In other words they will say everything that is not the truth is not necessarily a lie, but more like an inacurate depiction of the facts. They will turn you into a lie factory by tomorrow. Others will argue that lying prevents undesired embarrassment (to lose face). The last group will say that what a person does not know will not hurt them. If you think about, how many people do you think are lying to you every day and how does that possibility make you feel?
Now I am no hipocrit, because the primary reason I brought this up is because I recall the feeling I got when I thought i would "let them down easy", or spare them the truth. In reality I was sparing myself the grief of going through the hard part of life which owning up to what was mine. The truth is that I actually felt worse when it was all said it done. (If it is okay for me to be transparent)
Lying is one of the seven characteristics that God detests.
Proverbs 6:16-19
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Now I'm not getting holy, but thats what it says for those who wish to know. Christ talked about the truth setting you free in John 8:32. I don't wont to preach, but I will do what ever is necessary to convey the importance of this point. If you know in your heart, there is an opportunity for you to be honest with yourself and change for the better. The following passage is what God promises to those who want to make things right.
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
The truth is that sin occurs in everyone's life and no one is above this reality, but we can make it a point to move forward and above to a place where integrity is part of our name. Do not be ashamed be encouraged to know that God will hear you, forgive you, and be with you always. Have a nice day.
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