“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD:  but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22

     She spoke with authority, which was appropriate since she was the absolute authority at the Sectionals tennis tournament my team was participating in.  The head referee was explaining the rules of play which would govern this tournament at a captain’s meeting, and she made it clear that her judgments were final.

     It was her parting words to us that evening that really struck a chord with me.  In speaking of “line calls”, she said, “If it’s 99% out, it’s 100% in.”  Meaning, if even a hint of the ball is in, you must call it in.  Even if most of the ball is out, it’s still in.  Even if all of the ball except for one tiny percentage point is out, it’s still in.

     This certainly went against the rule of thumb that most people I competed against went by:  “When in doubt, call it out!”

     She was, of course, right on target.  100% on target.

     As I reflected upon her comments, I realized that her words regarding honesty and truth aren’t limited to a tennis court.  In fact, our entire lives are to be measured by that same guideline:  if it’s 99% honest, it’s 100% dishonest;  if it’s 99% truthful, it’s 100% untruthful.

     Truth and honesty are often considered old-fashioned in our world of moral relativism.  Too many people live by the mantra, “when in doubt, call it out” as they say whatever works in their favor, even if it’s a bad call.

     “He’s not in the office”, she says as her boss listens just outside the door where he’s giving her the “Tell him I’m not here” sign.  99% honest = 100% dishonest.
     “We aren’t going to make it today … we’ve all been sick,” he explains knowing that their sickness while real is now over and has nothing to do with why they aren’t attending.  99% truthful = 100% untruthful.

      We use expressions like “It’s for their own good”, “I don’t want to hurt their feelings” and “I was afraid of what it might look like” to rationalize the percentage points that keep us from being completely honest.

     Yet the Absolute Authority of the universe demands truthfulness, in fact is the very essence of truth:  “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. (John 14:6)  His rule that governs the play of our lives is simple:  “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” 

     Not even a percentage point.

     Liar is a tough label to remove once it’s attached.  Think about it, don’t you personally know someone that you have little or no confidence in what they tell you because of a history of “stretching the truth”, “exaggerating” or “downright lying”?

     It’s time for truth.  It’s time for us to call it like it really is.  It’s time for us to speak and deal honestly not because our hand is placed firmly on the Bible as we say, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”, but rather because our faith is place firmly in the Person of the Bible, Jesus Christ!

     We need to be men and women of integrity, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient or costly.  People who share the 100% truth.  Share it in love, but share it purely.

     There’s no room in the life of a Christian for dishonesty. 

     Not even a percentage point.