Don't Be a Weiner!

For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. Jesus in Matthew 10:26

Personal decisions lead to public ramifications!

Anthony David Weiner is the U.S. Representative for New York's 9th congressional district, which includes parts of southern Brooklyn and south and central Queens. Weiner is a Democrat, and has held the office since 1999.

In June 2011, after having first denied doing so, Congressman Weiner admitted having sent sexually explicit photographs of himself to several female "followers" on Twitter, both before and since his marriage.

His perverse behavior caused many to ask the following question: Should Anthony Weiner resign from his position?

As I watched the news stations, it seemed that many people thought he should not resign. These people justified their position by stating that his behavior was a personal matter.

So, I want to ask a question: Does “personal” behavior determine who we are as people?

I would answer this question with a resounding yes. What you do in private will ultimately reveal who you really are in public. In fact, the true test of character is what you do when you think nobody else is watching.

It is deceptive to think your personal matters do not influence who you are as a person, and how you perform on the job. Your personal decisions forge your character. The first person in life you need to learn to lead is yourself. You cannot be a good leader without learning self-control through self-government. In other words, you shouldn’t govern others if you can’t govern yourself.

Once you are able to lead yourself, the next test of leadership is marriage. Contrary to popular opinion, honoring your covenant vows by being faithful to your spouse is a major qualification for occupational leadership. If we lower this standard in our society, we do it to our own demise. The breakdown of marriages is the number one social ill in our nation. How a person conducts himself or herself in a marriage reveals more about their character than any of their other actions.

It is also naïve to think that we can keep the choices we make in private from being revealed in public. What is done in secret will one day be revealed for all to witness. The fact that the Anthony Weiner scandal has been broadcast on every news station is proof of my point.

Finally, if Weiner decides not to resign, he will be lowering the standard of leadership of our elected officials. It’s not only the epitome of narcissism, but demeaning to the position of U.S. Congressman for him to remain in his job.

Do we really want a married representative sending lewd pictures of his body to women? I’m not afraid to proclaim that I don’t! If Weiner will lie and cheat on his wife, common sense tells me that he will lie and cheat on the American people who elected him also.

I hope and pray Anthony Weiner’s apology is sincere. I hope and pray Anthony Weiner experiences the grace of God. I hope and pray Anthony Weiner works things out with his wife. I hope and pray Anthony Weiner uses his influence in the future to be a better example. I hope and pray Anthony Weiner realizes that private choices lead to public consequences.

It is also my hope and prayer that our elected officials will practice self-government and raise the standard of leadership in our nation. Anthony Weiner could make restitution and begin this much needed leadership revolution by graciously and humbly stepping down.

Let’s learn from Anthony and don’t be a weiner!