The Quality of Honesty

By Jill Darling

A 1994 survey of 3,795 youth showed that 57 percent could not affirm that an objective standard for right and wrong exists. Sixty-six percent lied to their parents within the past three months and 36 percent cheated within the same

time frame. The shocking fact was that these teens were from evangelical church backgrounds and supposedly upheld a moral standard based on the Bible. The sad reality is they've been

affected by the moral climate in which they live.

Instead of a matter being distinctly right or wrong, young people have been taught that right or wrong cannot be defined. There are no moral absolutes. Morality is determined by the individual. If a person feels it's right or wrong for them, then it's so. Morality is contingent on the circumstances at hand.

In essence, millions of people have defined their own separate morals based on their own ideas. For many, there is no code of ethics in which to refer and no framework in which to live. No wonder there is such chaos in the land.

In his book, Right From Wrong, internationally known speaker and author Josh McDowell, talks about moral standards and the importance of regaining them once again.

One principle mentioned in his book is the quality of honesty. McDowell says, "God made it abundantly clear that lying, cheating, and stealing were wrong. Honesty keeps one from operating in such behavior. God's commands reflect a positive principle. This principle serves, like an umbrella, to protect all who stay within its boundaries. The virtue of honesty is the quality of being truthful, transparent, and trustworthy," he said.

McDowell's book lists the protections and provisions one receives from living a life of integrity:

Honesty protects one from guilt and provides for a clear conscience. When you're honest, you don't always have to be looking over your shoulder. You can be transparent, because you aren't trying to cover your tracks. There is personal

liberty in being truthful.

Honesty protects one from shame and provides for a sense of accomplishment. Cheating robs people of the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment gained in doing an honest job. The person cannot take genuine pride in his performance, because he has not earned it. He may deceive others, but he still knows the truth about himself.

Honesty protects from the cycle of deceit and provides for a reputation of integrity. People are drawn to those who are sincere, because they know they won't be taken advantage of unfairly. Those who defraud others ruin their own reputation and give themselves

a bad name. They are ensnared in their own webs and bound by their own entanglements.

Honesty protects people from ruined relationships and provides for trusting relationships. The very foundation of relationships is built upon

trust, and trust cannot survive in the atmosphere of deceit. It undergirds marriage vows and business agreements with a reassuring, fortifying element. A strong foundation of trust will improve and enrich the quality of your relationships, providing something that money can't buy, and dishonesty can't achieve.

Honest people desire to live uprightly because they want to honor God and do what is right. If the entire world was corrupt and dishonest, they would continue to live a life of sincerity because it's beneficial to them. According to Proverbs 10:9, "He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known." Those who practice deceit may seem to get away with it for a while and may seem to be successful, but their attainments are short-lived. Destruction is inevitable. A classic example happened during the races of the '88 summer Olympic games in Seoul, Korea. Florence Griffith Joyner laid claim to the title of "the world's fastest woman" in her triple gold and single silver medal sweep. Some of her records still stand after ten years. Ben Johnson also stunned the world with his record breaking finish. But Johnson's victory was cut short. He didn't know the feeling of exhilaration and satisfaction "FloJo" experienced because a drug test revealed that Johnson's feat was aided by steroids, illegal in Olympic competition. He was stripped of his medal and left Korea the next morning in disgrace. He continues to be banned from competing.

Why do people cheat? Many engage in dishonest practices because it is so prevalent around them. Everyone else cheats on their income tax, insurance claims or test papers, so why

not? They may as well, too. Instead of admitting a mistake or blatant wrong, they think nothing of covering their tracks with lies because it seems to be the way of the world. They sink down into the moral erosion and contribute to its decay. If integrity was held at a premium, like it used to be in this country, people would begin to change their ways. It starts in the hearts of each person. By working together we can all make a difference. Others will be affected by honest means and think twice about their own behavior.

If enough people made the decision to live trustworthily, we would all be enriched and could turn the course of our nation. God is looking for a few good men and women who dare to be honest in all their ways.


©1998 APALACHIN COMMUNITY PRESS