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Key Bible Verse: For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the heart ( Psalm 51:5-6). Bonus Reading: Jeremiah 9:3-9

I arrived late at the airport only to discover that I'd forgotten to refuel the rental car. That really shouldn't have been a problem since the rental company will gladly refuel the car for about $4.00 a gallon.

But when the agent at the check-in counter asked me if I had refueled the car, I lied, or at least I used the "truth" to deceive. Instead of simply answering no, I said, "The fuel gauge is registering full."

Without looking up from her paperwork she asked, "Do you have a receipt for the gasoline?"

Once again I had an opportunity to do the right thing. All I had to was tell her that I had not refueled the car. Instead, I simply said, "No." She must have have sensed I wasn't being completely truthful because she pressed me. "What," she asked, "was the name of the gasoline station where you refueled the car?"

This time I didn't even pretend to tell the truth. "I don't remember," I mumbled as I turned away and walked toward the concourse. I could feel her eyes boring into me, but I didn't look back. Such duplicity! Such deceit! And for what? Less than ten dollars worth of gasoline.

—Richard Exley in Man of Valor

My Response: How have I cultivated or suppressed a God-honoring conscience?

Thought to Apply: A truth that's told with bad intent / Beats all the lies you can invent.—WILLIAM BLAKE (English artist & writer)

Adapted from Man of Valor (White Stone Books, 2005) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Because You are absolute truth, Lord, give me the courage to adhere to Your standard.

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