Honesty

Why is it so important to be honest? 

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... Never lies. 

Walking with God requires honesty, because honesty shows purity, integrity, and a desire to do what is true and right.

MATTHEW 12:33 | A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.

LUKE 16:10 | If you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibility.

Your level of honesty demonstrates the quality of your character.

1 TIMOTHY 1:19 | Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consiences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 

Honesty brings a clear conscience.

DEUTERONOMY  25:13-15 | You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, and you must use full and honest measures...so that you may enjoy a long life.

Dishonesty and deception are forms of bondages because they are needed to hide selfish motives. Honesty brings freedom from guilt and from the consequences of deceptive actions.

ROMANS 12:3 | Don't require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.

Striving for honesty helps you develop a reputation of integrity. Consistent honesty in the past and present builds trust for continued honesty in the future.

ISAIAH 33:15-16 | Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes...who shut their eyes all enticement to do wrong----these are the ones who will dwell on high.

Striving for honesty will help you experience the benefits of God's ultimate justice and protection.

PSALM 37:37 | Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.

Striving for honesty helps you to enjoy life because you can live at peace with God and youreself.

Does honesty always mean telling everything I know?

PROVERS 29:30      |    There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

ECCLESIASTES 3:1,7    |    For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven...A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

COLOSSIANS 4:6      |     Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right reponse for everyone.

Honesty should not be confused with gossip. Just because you know something dosen't mean you have to tell everyone about it. Honesty also involves intergrity, making sure that what you say is helpful and builds others up rather than tears them down. The person who thinks before speaking is the wisest. It is not deceitful to withhold information that others don't need to know unless, of course, you are under oath in a court of law.

Promise from God    PROVERDS 12:19   |   Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.