Anyone who wants to accomplish substantial good for himself or others must be motivated by honesty. Integrity is much more than just a human virtue of telling the truth or of not stealing. Honesty, as Christian Science defines this quality, is the requirement to live in accord with divine law; to be consistent with God, divine Principle, in thought, motive, word, and deed. Those who vary from strict standards of virtue, or vacillate as circumstances change, permit their thoughts and acts to be separated from the divine rule. As a result, these individuals are not always able to achieve the healing they desire.
Mary Baker Eddy, with a clear vision of Truth and fidelity to God's requirements, observes: "Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness, which forfeits divine help."Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p 453.
Any tendency to be dishonest is a rejection of God's rule and an attempt to mix pure truth with mortal ways and means. This approach cheats us of the sustaining power of Mind, God. The Bible calls for mankind to be upright, full of integrity and good works. In Psalms we read: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."Ps. 24:3, 4.
