HOGpreacher: DISHONESTY

Sunday, June 07, 2009

DISHONESTY

Recently I wrote about my "false pride" without giving out too many examples and details. Writing on topics is not about air "dirty laundry" but more, showing by example the frailty and fagility of a human who struggles and enjoys life.

The topic this time is DISHONESTY.

So, what is included in dishonesty? Well, naturally there is lying and then there is cheating, rationalizing, minimizing, stealing and manipulating. These are the basics and enough for now. Somehow I believe if you looked up politician in Webster's you would find this as a one word definition. Hmmm?

Lying. Wow! In Webster's next to the word liar or lying is my picture. Look, everyone has lied and does at one time (or many) or another. In my case it was a lifestyle to feed my false pride. I could not look like a failure, a loser, second place as acceptable or less than you. So to build myself up or to tear you down or to cover a sin, I lied. I lied to everyone.

Stealing. I remember taking small toys from the 'dime store". Anyone remember the local "dime store" where little toy soldiers, planes, troll dolls, pin wheels and the like sold for 10 cents or less? Half a century ago. I took a small canoe with Indian from the store one day. It was no more than 3" long and fit in my pant pocket easily. Grandma was driving and as we were heading home she saw me playing with the canoe. I know, it was not bright playing with it in the car, but hey, I was six and having fun. Grandma asked me where I got the toy and I said, "The lady in the store gave it to me." Well, grandma didn't believe me and turned the car around and went back to the store. I had to confess to the store lady what I had done and tell her I was sorry and would not do it again.

Yes, I have permission for the pictures and no, I am not lying. Gees.

I lied. I stole more toys only did not play with them until I got home.

Stealing and lying became second nature. I lifted change from friend's parents dressers, mom's purse, classmates lockers and business' registers. Never once did I think I shouldn't even though I knew all the time it was wrong.

I rationalized.

It was okay to lift a few coins from a dresser, they had more, mom's money was my money as well, my classmate pissed me off and the boss should have given me a raise and he won't miss this twenty. There was always a reason to do the wrong thing to make it seem right. Lying to myself was the norm.

I cheated. Gees, I cheated on assignments and tests, plagiarized material, cheated on girlfriends and my first wife. No big deal, it was me and people would forgive me. God would forgive me. After all, once I gave them a reason they would understand and all would be well.

Well, dishonesty as a way of living and conducting business has a way of catching up with you and cause ruin. No one is to blame but myself. And by being honest with self I have been honest with those around me. It has also helped me know when you are lying.

God has many things to say about honesty. The 10 commandments are a good place to start. It is interesting that to violate any commandment of God leads to the violation of them all.

Psalm 1 defines the Godly man who "does not walk in the counsel of the wicked". "Wicked", my grandmother used that word to refer to Satan. Satan, the Father of Lies, the Prince of this world. It all makes sense, this world is moving further away from God and closer to Satan. May be there is truth that living here "is hell!"

Well, there was a paragraph of theological rambling. Hmm?

I have walked in wicked "counsel". Always by my choosing and my knowing better. There's that "King David, slime of God" persona in me. I love God and yet try to "get away" with things I know at the time I am doing them are wrong.

Paul says this in Romans, chapter 7. Is this a reason to sin? Is this a rationalization to sin? No, its the reality check that we do sin, we need not to sin and that our lives need to be centered on Christ and not self.

I cannot do this alone. But as Paul says, "thanks be to God through Jesus" I can walk in the counsel of the worthy, I am counted among the Saints who sin. Not a thing to be proud of but grateful for.

Today, honesty works for me. The years of practicing a life of integrity has been exceedingly difficult. Because of my past history High School classmates ask, "you are a what?" Being honest at the expsense of looking foolish or less than another has always born fruit and provided a great witness to the Christ who loves and forgives me. My personality is not changed. The 'god' who sits on the Throne of my heart has.

It is no longer me.

Thanks be to God through our Lord, Savior and Master, Jesus the Christ.