Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

The Japanese translates the first part of this simply as, “The person who walks straight.” That’s a pretty good metaphor for a person of integrity, so I don’t fault the NIV on this one. In the second half of the verse it really gets interesting: “The person who bends their own path.” Sometimes our path seems pretty curvy through no fault of our own. However, it’s the person who doesn’t want to walk straight who really gets into trouble. Such a person is very likely to try to “cover their tracks,” but this verse says clearly that’s not going to work in the long run. As it says so clearly in Hebrews 4:13, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Whether we are successful in hiding things from people is ultimately irrelevant, because God sees it anyway. The whole issue of accountability which the Hebrews passage mentions is something many people try to run from, but it is inescapable. It is behind much professed atheism, because people want to pretend there isn’t anyone to whom they must give an account. Walking straight in the first place is ultimately much easier, besides being far safer.

I’ve done my share of trying to hide things, and it is exhausting. If you have to remember which story you told whom, you get consumed by the effort. I have found that a principle of absolute honesty is certainly the easiest way to go. I never have to worry about who I’m talking to in terms of what story I tell. That’s not at all to say I am to tell everyone everything; discretion is certainly called for! However, whether I’m saying much or little, it’s still the same story. The same applies in my preaching/teaching. If I am doing my honest best to present truth, then I seldom have to go back and correct what I’ve said. I deal with people all the time who tell one person one version of a story and another person an entirely different version. I don’t see how they sleep at night! Those other people wind up comparing what they have been told with amazing regularity! I am not to be accusatory but I am to stand for truth, by word and by example, to lead people out of the traps of the devil, the “liar and father of lies.” (John 8:44)

Father, for the past week You’ve spoken to me repeatedly on this issue of honesty, of walking straight. Help me never take it for granted, but rather apply myself to living and teaching Your truth. May I always do so in love, (Ephesians 4:15) building people up and not tearing them down, so that as many as possible may be brought into Your family, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!