I won't get caught

Ed and I were talking about his choices. “There are two ways to look at your behavior,” I said. “You can make me act like a policeman to monitor you, or you can choose wisely for yourself, for the sake of your integrity.”  He’s 11, so I do not know how much of that he understands.  I face the same decision every day. Will I choose to do what I know is right even though I know that the chance of being caught is non-existent?  Will I keep my marriage vows? Will I fulfill my obligations to others? Will I speak truthfully?   

Once erosion of character starts, it is hard to stop. A little compromise turns into major sin.  Hidden sin eats away inside of us like termites eat away the supporting structure of a home. On the outside all looks well, but the beams are weakened as their cores are eaten away.  Unless stopped, there will be a catastrophic collapse!  James describes the process of sin this way:  “each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, … enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15 (NIV)

Integrity is a treasure!  We are wise to guard it. What is it?

Dictionary.com defines it:

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.  an, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.   

After Pilate questioned Jesus he returned to report, “I find no cause for charges in this man.”  That’s the way I want people to talk about me.  What about you?  A person’s integrity becomes a safeguard.  Many years ago, during a meeting in which another man’s dishonest dealings were revealed  someone wondered if I were also involved.  Another said of me, “We knew he was not interested.”  Those who were in on the scheme had not even offered money to me. Why? Because my honesty was obvious.  Thank the Lord for the gift of integrity that protected me even from being tempted! “May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:21 (NLT)

Does your reality match your image?  Are you the same inside as out?

Integrity comes from a genuine respect for and awe of the Lord. When we are made right with Him through Christ and the Cross, we must not turn again to living only in the fear of man.  God offers wholeness to us.  He sees us as we are and loves us! But, He will not overlook our willful sins.  Knowing this we pray as Jesus taught, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”   Nehemiah saw this quality in his brother and rewarded it.  “I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.”  Nehemiah 7:2 I

Immaturity says “I won’t get caught.”  A person of character says, “I will walk in integrity.”  That one knows peace with God and others. He enjoys trust.

Here’s a word from the Word. "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, NIV)