Letters to My Children: Honesty is a Gift

In this life, you will be tempted. And sometimes you will give in to that temptation. When you do, do not lie about your sin. Your goal can too easily shift from doing right to hiding wrongs done. Honesty is a gift. It is a gift to your friends, a gift to your future spouse, a gift to the Lord and a gift to yourself.

Left unchecked, dishonesty can become a habit. And habits unchecked gradually become part of your character. Manipulating others can turn into a game, but it is not a game worth playing. Manipulation undermines fellowship and unravels relationships. It isolates its players, bringing loneliness and shame. In short, it leads you directly to the place Satan wants you to be.

Even if parents and peers do not see through lies, God sees all. I do not say this to intimidate you. I say it to comfort you. Imagine sitting at a cafe table with God. He formed your inward parts, He knows your anxious thoughts, He chose your skills and passions, He sees your past sins and your future endeavors. He looks kindly into your eyes, eager to forgive you and share deeply with you. What a no-defenses, restful place to sit, fully known and fully loved. What freedom and wholeness await! What fullness peace and joy! Talk openly with Him.

The chief end of man is not to please one’s self or to preserve one’s reputation. The chief end of man, as the catechism says, is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

You cannot glorify God while living in unrepentant sin; you cannot enjoy God if your actions do not glorify Him. You cannot live in true community with believers if you are not honest. Truly, there is no greater joy on earth than oneness with God. Do not settle for lesser things. Every time, choose honesty. 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 

Hebrews 4:15- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

James 4:5- God yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.  

Ephesians 5:13- Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

John 3:19- For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Matthew 23:27- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

All of wonderful Psalm 139

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