September 10

Honesty


Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough.

Matthew 5:37 (NLT)


The things I have struggles with my son struggles with too. This became evident as we headed home from Mount Bachelor and my son asked, “Dad, could I have some of your ice cream cone?”

He had just finished his popsicle and wanted more, so I handed him the cone. “Sure," I said, "but save some for me.”

“Okay,” he replied, and as he attacked the cone with relish, I focused my attention on the winding, downhill road. Ten minutes later, I asked for my cone.

“Sorry, Dad. I ate your part for you!”

Well, I wasn’t upset about missing out on all those calories, but I was concerned with what had just happened. My boy had agreed to do something … and then didn’t. In my mind, a promise had been broken.

This has been an issue in my own life. I remembered the time I backed out of a business deal. Legally I could, because the law gave me three days to change my mind, but morally I was on soft ground as I danced around why I had changed my mind. The mental turmoil of saying one thing and doing another, of making a commitment and then backing out of it was a lesson I never forgot. For me, it crystallized Jesus’ teaching, “Your word is enough.”

Later that night, my son and I reviewed these valuable lessons. First, we say what we mean, and we mean what we say. Second, a man’s word is his bond. It’s what Jesus taught, and it’s the way we should live.


Lord, help us live truthfully for You. Amen.