This quote for us to stay on the level in order to rise to the heights is a good reminder. It’s especially important for believers to live with honesty and integrity. After all, we are God’s representatives and witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives should be marked by truth and we should be even more convinced that God desires for us to stay on the level.
This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.
Before I became a Christian, I found it very easy and natural to lie. But, after becoming a born- again Christian nearly 30 years ago, I became a lover and pursuer of truth.
After I had children, I was determined to raise them in the Christian faith. I wanted to teach them to stay on the level. So, as they were growing up, I would always tell them to tell me the truth. It didn’t matter how difficult it was for them to tell me or for me to hear the reality of what they had done; I still wanted to hear the truth. I cautioned them that I would show much more understanding if they were truthful then if they lied to me and I found out about it later.
Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes as humans it is hard to stay on the level, but lying is a sin and a betrayal against God and others. We may think we are getting away with something, but God is always watching and He hates lying (Proverbs 6:16-17). So, why would we deliberately lie in His presence?
Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.” (NIV)
We definitely need the Lord’s help to stay on the level because sometimes we may not realize we have been deceptive until after the fact. If so we can confess our sin and be forgiven (1John 1:9).
The truth is extremely important to the Lord and it should be for believers as well, because He is the truth (John 14:6), His Word is truth (John 17:7), and He wants us to practice the truth.
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6 ESV)
God wants us to stay on the level. He wants Christians to live lives of honesty and integrity. He wants our lives to be marked by truth and good character. All throughout Scripture we are cautioned to live by the truth as these verses state.
Psalm 25:5 says, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 8:21 says, “We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. (NLT)
Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (NIV)
Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”(NIV)
Furthermore, the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping proves that the best way to rise to the heights is to stay on the level. We don’t want to live dishonest lives, in fact lying entraps us and the truth usually has a way of revealing itself over time.
Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (ESV)
Job 4:8 says, “As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”(ESV)
Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (NIV)
“The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.” (Proverbs 11:5 NLT)
There are consequences when we don’t stay on the level, including discipline from the Lord; and breaking fellowship with Him and others.
Lastly, staying on the level is so liberating!
John 8:31-32 says, “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (NLT)
I like this quote: “Honesty is the best policy.” –Benjamin Franklin
What about you? Do you strive to stay on the level?
Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.
Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.
Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!
For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE
Additional resources about related subjects on this site:
Video vlog: Twisting Scripture
Podcast: Are all Sins Equal?
NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth