Passing the Test

“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).
Recently, I watched “Remember the Titans” for the first time in quite some time. In the movie, the team captain, who was white, was placed in a situation where he had to make a split-second decision. His white friends pulled up beside him in their convertible and invited him to a party. He looked back at his black teammates he had just won a football game with and had to choose whether to stick with his teammates or go to the party with his prejudiced white buddies.
As I watched this scene, I realized that this was the dénouement of the movie (the moment where the protagonist confronts the antagonist in the story and makes the decision that will affect the outcome of the story). The team captain ended up doing the right thing: he stayed with his black teammates despite the peer pressure he felt.
Just as this young man faced his test and passed it, we, as godly men, must make hundreds of instantaneous decisions each day that affect our character, integrity and walk with the Lord. For example, when we are confronted with a difficult situation, we have a brief window to decide whether we will be honest or lie to protect ourselves. God hates it when we compromise our holiness for the sake of temporary gain. We are commanded to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:45). Men of integrity do the right thing even when they are in a difficult situation. Part of becoming a godly man involves taking responsibility for our actions and speaking the truth at all times – even when it is not convenient.