His answer: "Lack of integrity."
The same question was asked of author Larry Abraham and he answered similarly: "Lack of justice."
(K-House ARMOR of GOD: Breastplate of Righteousness)
Integrity is when truth is represented in a person who will exhibit truth in action as well as words. One dictionary defines it as follows: "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty."
It's an accurate appraisal when it's said that our integrity as the American people is wearing away and deteriorating. Why is this? Quite simply because we have disrespected, downplayed, even denied the very notion of truth. It's in vogue today to say that truth is either relative ("That's YOUR truth") or that it simply doesn't exist ("Everything is relative and there is no such thing as absolute truth." I wonder if they think that that statement is 'absolutely true'?).
The truth of the matter is that you cannot have justice without truth, and you cannot have truth without justice. We have dealt with this matter before on The RED PILL Consortium in some commentary on ISAIAH 59 in The DEMISE of a CIVILIZATION.
We have also written a series, treating the idea of Truth on The TRUTH Under FIRE:
GOT TRUTH? Part 1 of 3.
Today I want to present a simple assertion regarding integrity, and specifically the integrity of the Christian.
In 1 KINGS 2:3-4 it says:
3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
4 That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
The apostle John stated:
2 JOHN 1:4
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
And again, he said,
3 JOHN 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
To "walk in truth" is simply to live a life of truthfulness, and truth specifically in the Person and power of JESUS CHRIST, Himself being the embodiment of Truth (JOHN 14:6). To do so brings obvious blessing to those walking in truth as mentioned in the passage above from 1 KINGS, as well as blessing to those who observe such people, as the aged apostle stated.
In a moment of self-examination can we say that we live truth to the same degree that we know truth? To the same degree that we study truth as found in the Word, and love truth as much as we live it out? To fail in answering yes to these questions means that we have some measure of hypocrisy at worst, or a confession of weakness on our part at best. And I will readily confess to my own hypocrisy and weakness, but with the underlying hope that the LORD God isn't finished with me yet! He still has "good work" to do in me according to PHIL. 1:6!
King David said in the PSALMS:
PSALM 51:5-7
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Being wholly truthful about oneself is the true manifestation of meekness for the Christian, and meekness (as well as humbleness) is the very polar opposite of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is all about wearing a mask, cover ups, even deceits and conceits. Humbleness and meekness is about revealing the truth about oneself, not hiding my true self but exposing oneself for what we truly are (warts and all, but also that work that Christ is doing in us: To say that I am a sinner and a saint are both true) before God and others. Truth inwardly keeps us traveling accurately in life, holding the course without wavering or being unduly influenced by the tides of our time and the winds of change!
So as we live out each day, may we run an inventory of our souls and determine if we are living outwardly the truth that we profess to believe inwardly. Where we may find hypocrisy, let us ask God's forgiveness. Where we find an equity between belief and practice, let us thank God for His empowering Spirit of grace!
On a final note, let us receive the admonition that we hear from Phil Keagy:
Be On The Out, What You Are Inside
PSALM 15:1-3
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
PSALM 25:4-6
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
PSALM 33:4
4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
EPHESIANS 4:15, 20-21
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
You may also be blessed with the study of The Belt of Truth in our Spiritual Warfare seies on The TRUTH Under FIRE!
May the LORD JESUS CHRIST bless us with His Spirit of Grace and Truth!
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