but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
(Prov 10:9 NIV)
I have spent a bit of time attempting to teach teen-age felons what it means to have integrity through cognitive behavior therapy. After I left the correctional facility and once again began serving in the church, I often thought how much easier it was to teach felons than Christians.
Yes, that sounds horribly judgmental. But, it is the truth. Felons have been convicted. They have already been found guilty. You can present the case as to how badly they have damaged their and their loved one's lives without too much denial. But, way too often, Christians can be caught in the most obvious lies or other damaging words or deeds and still deny that they have been taking a crooked path. Christians are never as bad as the felons, or at least so many think. Sadly my experience has been that most of us who are not felons probably are not simply because we've never been caught. We are sinful human beings and it is really most helpful to one's life to repent; that is to acknowledge our sins and turn around to follow Christ on the straight and narrow path.
But, take my word for it. You can lie all you want. You can sneak around and do things that are most damaging to you, your loved ones, even your church. But, there are those whose eyes are wide open and they know the truth. You can deny it. But, you are only lying to yourself. Your attempts to stagger down the crooked path are found out. You cannot hide from God and you cannot hide from humankind forever. But, do not worry. You will most likely be allowed to go on deceiving yourself by thinking that no one knows. Christians, to a large degree, do not like confrontation and most will let you continue on the crooked path to your own demise.
I do not like confrontation. But, neither am I afraid of it. I do get tired of it, though. I get very tired of watching and listening to those who have no integrity.
May God have mercy.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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