Truth in the inward parts
Honesty that reaches the heart
When David describes the person of integrity, he reaches past outward honesty to something deeper: the one who speaks truth in his heart. Integrity that only governs what you say to others, but not what you tell yourself, is hollow. The most dangerous lies a leader believes are usually the ones they have told themselves.
David prayed about the same inner place: you desire truth in the inward parts. God is after honesty all the way down — a leader who does not deceive his own heart, and so does not unknowingly lead others by a lie he has already swallowed.
“He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart.”
— David — Psalm 15:2 (WEB)
Integrity reaches all the way down to the truth you tell yourself. Don't deceive your own heart, or you'll lead others by a lie you've already believed.
“Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”
David located integrity in speaking truth even in the heart. A leader formed here practices honesty about his own motives and failures, not just honesty toward others. He invites God to expose self-deception. The inner work is telling yourself the truth, especially the unflattering kind.
Cultivate honesty about your own motives and decisions, not only truthful communication outward. Invite trusted people to help you see where you may be deceiving yourself. Make space to examine the real reasons behind your choices. Lead from truth that goes all the way down, so you do not pass on a lie you have swallowed.
Leaders excel at outward honesty while telling themselves flattering stories about their motives and failures. The blind spot is self-deception, which you cannot correct because you do not know you believe it.
Pick one recent decision and ask honestly what your real motive was. This week, tell yourself the unflattering truth where it applies, and invite one trusted person to check your self-assessment.
Leaders are skilled at telling others the truth, and often less skilled at telling it to themselves — about their motives, their failures, the real reasons behind their decisions. Self-deception is the quietest and most dangerous breach of integrity, because you cannot correct a lie you do not know you believe.
Where might you be deceiving yourself — telling your own heart a more flattering story than the truth?