Honesty

• Honesty is commanded by God (Exodus 20:16)-Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.

What this means is that we are not to tell lies about our Brothers or Sisters, we are not to admit to something we do not know of, or have not seen.  It means we are not to falsely witness to things that we do not know to be fact.

• Only honest people can worship God (Psalm 24: 3-4)-Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?  Who may stand in his holy place?  Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

As Christians, we are to be God fearing in that we need to be honest in everything in order to even remain a part of His flock; we cannot practice telling lies and claim to be His Children.

• God is truth and desires truth (Psalm 51:6)-But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

In order for God to work in our lives, to show us wisdom, we must be honest both with Him, and true to ourselves from the depths of our hearts and souls.  He cannot change our hearts and minds if we are not honest with Him.

• God hates lies (Proverbs 6: 16-17)-There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, ...

Honesty is one of God's most desired characteristic/attributes of His Children.  He hates lies because they create so many greater problems for His Children.  Christians should not feel comfortable telling or living lies.

• Be honest (Proverbs 19: 1)-It is better to be poor and honest than to be a fool and dishonest.

This verse is referring to honesty in financial dealings.  It is better to have little, and earn it honestly, than to be foolish (can result in loss of salvation), and do things that are illegal  or false in order to gain financial prosperity.

• Christians should be known by their honesty (Matthew 5: 37)-Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.'  Your word is enough.  To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.

Christians should only respond yes or no when asked to tell the truth, for example, when in a Court of Law; testifying before a judge.  To vow, or swear, shows that you are not as honest a person.  It shows you are not in the good habit of speaking the truth.

• Lies make someone unclean before God (Matthew 15: 18-20)-But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them.  For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  These are what defile you.  Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you and make you unacceptable to God!

So, lying makes us unclean before God.  Some people think that physical cleanliness is important.  And it is to live a healthy life.  However, your physical cleanliness cannot help or hinder your entrance into God's kingdom.  Lying can hinder your entrance into God's kingdom.  We must remain honest in order to call ourselves God's children and remain saved.  Otherwise, it's the same as a non-believer.

• Christians should put away dishonesty from their lives (Ephesians 4: 25)-So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we belong to each other.

If we call ourselves God's Children, but lie to one another, that means we are separating ourselves from both God, and our Brethren.  We cannot be dishonest with one another, and remain one.

I hope this study is as beneficial to you as it is to me.  We all need to be reminded of what God requires of His Church.  Let us continue to practice honesty in our lives for continued growth and blessings for our lives and the lives of those who surround us.  Until the next study, may the Lord bless you all, stay true.  Amen.