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Key Bible Verse: But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other (Zechariah 8:16). Bonus Reading: 1 Samuel 12:1-5

Our friend, Craig Groeschel, has been married 17 years and leads a large church. When we talked to him about pursuing transparency in his life, he said, "Every leader must answer this question: What is the one thing you're afraid of? Then go talk about it immediately. Bring it into the light. I know I'm the type of person who could fall into a dark place, but what keeps me strong is that I tell people immediately."

He tells them everything and is brutally honest and confessional. He describes it as getting emotionally naked before them. It is key for his health as a leader and for the organization.

Craig also suggests that we should have two levels of transparency. The first level is to find people you can be fully transparent with. But then he suggests a second group of people you are almost transparent with and tell most things, but not everything. Inviting trusted people into you life is a great way to combat concealment.

Craig says, "We also do our best to systematically reward confession. We deliberately create a 'confession culture' with our staff. If you confess it, then we can help you. If you hide it, then there are serious consequences."

—Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite in Deadly Viper Character Assassins

My Response: I can take a step toward greater transparency by …

Thought to Apply: A real man is a man who's real.—Gordon Dalbey (author and speaker)

Adapted from Deadly Viper Character Assassins by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite (Zondevan, 2009) by permission.

Copyright © 2009 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

Lord, protect me from perfectionism and legalism. Help me to lean on you and your grace so that I might become a better man and leader.

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