t-size: small;”>Lying is a problem, and that’s the truth.
Untruthfulness is very common as seen in the following statistics from the 1991 book The Day America Told the Truth by James Patterson and Peter Kim:
• 91% of people lie routinely about matters they consider trivial
• 36% lie about important matters
• 86% lie regularly to their parents
• 75% lie regularly to their friends
• 73% lie regularly to their siblings
• 69% lie regularly to their spouses
• 59% lie regularly to their kids
• 69% of Americans believe there is nothing wrong with telling a lie
This is a real problem when we consider that many of these Americans consider themselves to be Christians, even born-again believers. What ever happened to integrity? If there were a way to measure your IQ (Integrity Quotient), how high would it be?
Today’s spiritual health exam is on integrity: What’s my Integrity Quotient (IQ)?
David writes in Psalm 26:9-11, “Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.”
David makes a conscious decision to walk in integrity. David may not have been perfect, but he decided to be honest. And on the basis of God’s mercy he asks the Lord to make it happen. He says, “Redeem me and be merciful to me.” David knows he cannot make it happen on his own. He needs a merciful redeemer.
Integrity starts with being honest with ourselves and honest to God. If we can start there, God can take us the rest of the way.
How are you doing on integrity? Is it easy for you to be honest? When is it hard?
