Integrity

As I was cutting apples for drying today (yes, that's why my fingers look so nasty: apple juice + cinnamon and sugar = permanently stained hands for several days...and now everyone is going to be looking at my fingers ;) I was thinking about how man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Those apples look beautiful on the outside (well, most of them), but when you cut into them, you soon find out it's a different story. They're mealy, brown, and worm tunneled. *yuck* 

That got me thinking about a chapter in the book I've been reading (one thing leads to another when you've got lots of time to think over your apples :).

The chapter was about integrity. My dad has been talking to me about purposing in my heart not to let anything into my house (when I have one of my own) that will dishonor God, but I couldn't think what that character trait would be called. Then I read this chapter about not letting any unwholesome things into your heart and mind. It's called...integrity! (I *love* that word! :D) 

Integrity - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

The book was reminding women that it only takes 3% (or just a very small amount) to corrupt the inside of something. It starts out as just a little...and ends up eating out your insides. 

Having integrity is keeping those tempting "little" things out of your house, mind, and soul. Some potential "worms" that can make it into your home and destroy those inside are television, movies, internet, books, music, etc. I'm not at all saying these things are wrong in and of themselves. My family personally has all of these things except a television (which doesn't necessarily make them right, I'm just saying I'm not judging you if you have them). These are things we have at our fingertips that we think can be so innocent. But that 3% that gets into our minds and hearts (and that of our children) can end up being terminal to our soul. It can destroy our insides. Like the ruined apple that had worm tunnels all throughout it. It only took one worm (okay, maybe that's a terrible analogy), but the entire apple was ruined. Unlike the apple, we can ask for God's forgiveness on our mistakes and he can clean us up, but there are still scars remaining. I believe we should be very careful with what we put into our hearts; what we label as "fun" or "entertainment". Who cares if it gives us 1 1/2 hours of satisfaction if it has "small parts" in it that dishonor God? Was it worth the 1 hours and 34 minutes of  "fun"? I think the young people of my generation need to take this subject much more seriously. We need to strive to become men and women of integrity! Please don't take this as me saying, "I've read the books, talked to my dad, and I've totally got this down and now it's time for me to tell you all how to shape up!" This is something I'm studying, working on, and sharing with you all so you can help me by giving me your thoughts (and keeping me accountable...please!).

I'm sure y'all have heard this story, but it helps me understand the reality and seriousness of the subject.

Two teenagers asked their father if they could go to the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the internet, he denied their request.

"Aw dad, why not?" they complained. "It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"

Dad replied: "Because that movie portrays immorality, which is something that God hates."

"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film!"

"My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion."

The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, "Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."

The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies which he offered to his kids. They each took one.

Then their father said, "Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much."

The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening.

"That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium vanilla and chocolate."

The brownies looked mouth-watering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech.

"But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think."

"Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"

"Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."

"Come on, dad, just tell us what that ingredient is."

"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients."

"Dad!"

"Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is organic...dog poop."

Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror.

"DAD! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog poop! We can't eat these brownies!"

"Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!"

"No, Dad...NEVER!"

"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies?"
(I can't seem to find the author of this story. It was sent to me in an email several years ago.)

The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
(Proverbs 20:7 NKJV)