Many years ago, my husband Michael reported our car stolen. He couldn't believe someone had taken it from his workplace parking lot.
That same day, our young son lost his soccer ball, and Michael gave him a fatherly lecture about responsibility.
Several days later, on his way to work, Michael discovered our car in an overflow parking lot where (for the first time ever) he'd parked it the day he'd reported it missing.
We look back at that mistake and laugh, but it wasn't so funny at the time. My husband was embarrassed and humbled.
To make things more difficult, he found our son's soccer ball in the car.
After notifying the police about his mistake, Michael humbly sat down with our son and admitted he'd been the one at fault.
I suppose some men might have tossed the soccer ball in the nearest trash can instead of admitting their mistake to their son, but they'd have been the losers.
Michael's mistake/misunderstanding wasn't sinful because he genuinely believed both the car and soccer ball were lost. But it would have been sinful if he'd hidden or justified his error.
Integrity isn't about saving face. It's about facing both mistakes and sins honestly. I believe my husband taught our son a valuable lesson by confessing his error and taking responsibility.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Colossians 3:9
Let's be careful to be honest!
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For additional insights, see Spiritually Weak People Don't Repent.
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