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RING TRUE (21)

by Stephen Whitney

Scripture: James 5:12
This content is part of a series.


Title: Ring True (21)
Series: James
Text: James 5:12
Author: Stephen Whitney

In December 2001 George O'Leary resigned as the head football coach of Notre Dame just five days after being hired because he admitted he had lied about his academic and athletic background.

He claimed to have a Master's degree in education from New York University in 1972 and to have played college football at New Hampshire but background checks revealed that he did not earn a Master's degree and that he never played in one football game.

In a statement O'Leary said, "I have personally embarrassed Notre Dame, its alumni, and fans. The integrity and credibility of Notre Dame is impeccable and with that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach."

For some people honesty depends on the circumstances. Sociologist Seymour Lipset of Stanford University observed:

"Everybody lies. But the question is, to what extent do you consciously deceive others? Do you exaggerate to impress a girl or a guy? Do you twist the truth to succeed in your job?"

In 1996 USA TODAY reported, "Honesty is the best policy, but not for increasing numbers of teens and adults who are willing to lie, cheat or steal to get what they want."

In one study of 11,000 high schoolers, college students and adults they found that 37% of high schoolers say they have stolen from a store in the last year and 65% have cheated on an exam. They also found that 25% of college students would lie to get or keep a job and 50% of adults say they would accept an auto body repairman's offer to include unrelated damages in an insurance claim.

It seems in our society that people will deliberately lie or deceive in order to get what they want.

James condemns that attitude by writing that believers are to be honest in what they say. He says, "Honesty is not just the best policy, but for believers it is to be our only policy."

Above - Gk. before (:9 at) Wuest - especially.

Above all (NIV most im ...

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