Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9, NIV).
I found the following confession from a subscriber known as bluej1375 on Ranker.Com:
The father’s act of deception sowed a lingering doubt as to whether his word could be trusted. “If Dad is unwilling to reveal the truth to mum, might he one day deceive me, as well? Likewise, if it’s alright for Dad to lie, why can’t I?”
Modeling integrity and holding fast to your word are imperative for raising children. Integrity is the moral glue that bonds our words and our actions. Parents who demonstrate consistent levels of honesty build strong and meaningful relationships with their children.
Moreover, the parents who deal honestly with themselves and others are more likely to raise a child who is unshakably reliable and respectful toward the people with whom they associate. And because the correlation between trust and love is so strong, the children who grow into trustworthy adults are also more apt to receive love themselves, as well as love those around them more authentically. Trust is what makes love go both within and around.
The truth is that truth matters. Our children are listening and watching us. To be certain, there are occasions when we as parents blow it. But even in our not-so-proud moments, we can be honest with God, with ourselves, and our kids by owning up to our indiscretions. By doing so, we reveal to our children the pathway to forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation.
The website www.HaveFunTeaching.com offers a song that embodies the importance of being an authentic parent: