“Have you been flossing?” What was I going to say?  The truth was, “No.”  But, I was struggling admitting that. So I said, “Some.”

We all face daily tests of our Integrity.  Each time we are tested we have a choice between choosing the harder right versus the easier wrong. So often we look at these choices as not a big deal.  They are little and sometime funny situations. But, with each choice I am either strengthening my character or weakening it.

Funny Little Integrity Fails

We all are tempted when asked these questions:

  • Cop:  Do you know how fast you were going?
  • Spouse:  Who ate the last cookie?
  • Spouse:  How many beers did you have?

We may exaggerate or stretch the truth:

  • I was a pretty good athlete.
  • I tried my best.
  • The light was yellow.
  • I didn’t know that was yours.
  • I’ve been praying for you.

No Big Deal Right?

Sometimes we think that there are degrees to Integrity tests.  We think that some are more important than others.  I no longer believe that is the case.

Each time I make a choice, it makes it easier to make that same choice again.  If I decide to exaggerate the amount of flossing I’ve done since my last dental appointment, it makes it easier to succomb to future tests of my Integrity.

The more times I choose the easier wrong, the closer and closer I slide towards becoming a person who lacks Integrity – a hypocrite.  

Over time, lying in little things makes it easier and easier to lie in the bigger situations we will face.  We are developing a habit and becoming a person we never thought of ourselves as being – a liar.

The Bottom Line:

No matter the size of the situation or the immediate impact of our choices, when our Integrity is involved it is a big deal!  We are either getting closer to becoming a Leader of Charcter or taking ourselves away from that goal.

We have no one to blame but ourselves when we allow simple tests of our Integrity to damage our character.  These temptations to damage our character are common to all men and women.  But we are always provided a way out.  

The way out is to choose Integrity in every situation. Large or small.  Serious or funny.  Our choices in day to day life determine who we will be and how we will behave in the larger tests to come.

  • “I haven’t been flossing.” Not “Some. “
  • “I was going 60 MPH.” Not “I don’t know.”
  • “I ate the last cookie.”  Not “Ask the kids.”
  • “I had three beers.” Not “One.”

Passing these small tests strengthen the habit of Integrity. These tests make a difference in who we are and who we are becoming. Who are you becoming?

Now a small prayer:

“Help me Lord to pass those tests I just challenged the readers to pass. Amen.”

Question:

What other small and humorous tests do we all face?

Dave Anderson is coauthor of the Amazon Best-Seller Becoming a Leader of Character – Six Habits that Make or Break a Leader at Work and at Home with his father General James L. Anderson (USA Retired).
You can order Becoming a Leader of Character on Amazon by clicking here:
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