The Trouble with Tangled Webs

Scottish novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott offered a timeless commentary when he wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”

TV and cinematic comedies have drawn from this truth – a small deception leading to another to conceal it, then another…until finally the protagonist is up to his or her neck in deceit run amok. Viewing such fictional calamities, we laugh. “Ha, ha, how silly. Ha, ha, he should have ‘fessed up in the first place and he wouldn’t have dug such a deep hole. Ha, ha.”

Unfortunately, web-weaving in real life is usually not as hilarious. It’s sad, even tragic. Such is the case with Jim Tressel, now-former head football coach at Ohio State who about six months ago was the toast of the town in Columbus. Seven consecutive victories over Michigan, six straight Big Ten championships, one national championship, and expectations for another in the near future.

Today, Tressel is unemployed, having resigned under intense pressure for having withheld information from superiors and the NCAA about players that broke rules. No crimes were committed, no laws violated, but NCAA rules were disregarded – and therein was the rub.

Tressel, having built a reputation for integrity, forthrightness – and faith – besmirched it all when he elected not to report the violations. As time passed, the cover-up deepened and the media outcry intensified.

Early in 2010 the coach probably thought it a small matter easily swept under the rug for the sake of a greater good. We might never know his actual reasoning. But with today’s 24/7 eyes-are-always-watching-you media and internet coverage, someone eventually checks under the rug.

Walking with integrity is a fine line, a delicate balance – especially in a high-profile positions. But it’s true for all of us. It’s a sobering reality to know regardless of our status in life, big or small, people are always watching and eager to pounce when we fail. “Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright” (Proverbs 29:10).

Even more than that, we have an audience of one that knows our hearts, as well as sees our actions. In the Old Testament of the Bible, King David wrote, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you…. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth” (Psalms 25:21, 26:1-3).

How many of us can say the same?