A few years ago seven-year-old Tanner Munsey was playing first base in a Little League game in Wellington, Florida. The batter hit a ground ball to Tanner, who fielded it and tried to tag the runner going from first base to second. The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but Tanner immediately ran to her side and said, “Ma’am, I didn’t tag the runner.” Umpire Benson then reversed her call and sent the runner to second base. Though some of the fans did not understand Tanner’s decision, his coach gave him the game ball for his honesty.
Two weeks later Laura Benson was again the umpire in a game where Tanner was playing shortstop for his team. A ground ball was hit to Tanner, he fielded it and attempted to tag the runner who was running from second base to third. Benson thought the runner avoided the tag and called him “safe.” Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his position. Benson sensed something was wrong. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked. “Yes, Ma’am” was Tanner’s reply. Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. Then they agreed that she had made the right decision. Benson told a reporter, “If a kid is that honest, I’m just going to trust him.”
Tanner Munsey’s honesty may seem rare in these days, but it should not be. That same type of integrity, that same willingness to tell the truth even if it is not to our personal advantage, should characterize all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord expects us to be “truth-tellers.” Exodus 20:16 (one of the Ten Commandments) instructs us “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” According to Proverbs 12:22, “the Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Jesus tells us, (Matthew 5:37) that our “yes” should always mean “yes,” and our “no” should always mean “no.” The Apostle Paul tells us (Ephesians 4:25) that each of us “must put aside falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” Christians are to be people whose word can be trusted.
One reason we often fail to tell the truth is our lack of trust in the Lord. We frequently are tempted to lie to avoid embarrassment or impress other people. Yet, when we realize that what matters is not what other people think of us, but what God thinks, we are empowered to tell the truth.
Friend, do people have confidence in your integrity? Do those who work with you believe what you say because they know you tell the truth? Do teachers at school trust you because they know you are not a liar? Are your friends and family members willing to rely on your word because they are confident you would not attempt to deceive them? Telling “white lies,” exaggerating, and shading the truth are all very easy habits in which to fall. Though our failure to tell the truth in these situations may not harm anyone directly, it can often diminish our reputation for integrity. I don’t expect an umpire to ever change a call simply because I tell him he has made a mistake. I hope, however, that by God’s grace, my actions, words, and attitudes will give the people around me confidence that I can be trusted.
Two weeks later Laura Benson was again the umpire in a game where Tanner was playing shortstop for his team. A ground ball was hit to Tanner, he fielded it and attempted to tag the runner who was running from second base to third. Benson thought the runner avoided the tag and called him “safe.” Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his position. Benson sensed something was wrong. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked. “Yes, Ma’am” was Tanner’s reply. Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. Then they agreed that she had made the right decision. Benson told a reporter, “If a kid is that honest, I’m just going to trust him.”
Tanner Munsey’s honesty may seem rare in these days, but it should not be. That same type of integrity, that same willingness to tell the truth even if it is not to our personal advantage, should characterize all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord expects us to be “truth-tellers.” Exodus 20:16 (one of the Ten Commandments) instructs us “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” According to Proverbs 12:22, “the Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Jesus tells us, (Matthew 5:37) that our “yes” should always mean “yes,” and our “no” should always mean “no.” The Apostle Paul tells us (Ephesians 4:25) that each of us “must put aside falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” Christians are to be people whose word can be trusted.
One reason we often fail to tell the truth is our lack of trust in the Lord. We frequently are tempted to lie to avoid embarrassment or impress other people. Yet, when we realize that what matters is not what other people think of us, but what God thinks, we are empowered to tell the truth.
Friend, do people have confidence in your integrity? Do those who work with you believe what you say because they know you tell the truth? Do teachers at school trust you because they know you are not a liar? Are your friends and family members willing to rely on your word because they are confident you would not attempt to deceive them? Telling “white lies,” exaggerating, and shading the truth are all very easy habits in which to fall. Though our failure to tell the truth in these situations may not harm anyone directly, it can often diminish our reputation for integrity. I don’t expect an umpire to ever change a call simply because I tell him he has made a mistake. I hope, however, that by God’s grace, my actions, words, and attitudes will give the people around me confidence that I can be trusted.
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