Honesty is similar to our last character trait, integrity. It is defined as fairness and straightforwardness of conduct. Being honest is about having your actions match your words in a way that is straightforward and fair. Honesty is lacking in our world, and unfortunately, it has infiltrated the church.
Honesty must be at the base of coming to Christ. We must admit we are sinners in need of a Savior. We must be honest with ourselves and with God. He will not deal with our facades. Many approach life with a high view of themselves, but they want to add God as a fire escape and a ticket to Heaven. However, that will not work with God. We must admit how wretched our sin truly is to God. We are the reason Jesus had to die. We must be spiritually bankrupt, understanding that nothing we can do on our own can gain eternal life in Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that we cannot do it our way. To think I can do it my way is a lie to yourself.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We need to be honest in our dealings with others. Ephesians 4:25 teaches us to put away lying and speak truth to our neighbor, for we are all members of one body, the church. As Christians, we are placed into a family when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. This unites us as brothers and sisters. Nothing can damage a relationship quite like lying. No one wants to be lied to. Yet there are many ways we lie and seem to think it is acceptable.
Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”
We need to be honest in how we present ourselves to one another. If we are a Christian, we are to look like a Christian. When we wear clothing that draws attention to areas of our bodies that are off-limits, we are being dishonest. The world says to look sexy; the Bible says we are to be modest. We teach children to strike a pose and give a pouchy lip picture as preschoolers. We live in a sex-crazed world, and we are allowing it to infiltrate our lives, giving the idea that we are part of it, and agree with it when we are not. This is lying with our actions. Lying leads to other sins, and this type of behavior is also common. I know it is difficult to find clothing that is modest, and it is unpopular not to mimic what others view as fun and innocent, but if it is misrepresenting Christ, we need to leave it alone. We must be honest with ourselves and decide who we are going to please with how we represent ourselves, God, or other people.
We need to be honest with our tongues. James 1:26 has strong words about the use of our tongues. If we say we are Christians but can’t control our own tongue, we have deceived ourselves, and our religion is vain or worthless. These are extraordinarily strong words that we need to heed. We will not be effective Christians until we speak the truth, and truth only.
James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
If we are honest, we will feel compelled to tell the truth. When we are not truthful, our hearts will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 11:3 teaches this truth, but it also teaches that our perverseness will destroy us. Perverseness is being deliberate and obstinate in our behavior. In this application, it would be lying for our own gain, even though we know there may be consequences.
Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
God speaks much about telling the truth, being honest with others and ourselves, and guarding our words so that they are not misunderstood. We have a responsibility to guard the integrity of the title we carry as a Christian. The old man has been purged and should act accordingly. Lying is a universal sin that seems to be at the base of every other sin. You don’t have to teach anyone to lie. From the time a child begins to understand there are consequences to wrong behavior, they will lie. We don’t teach them to lie we must teach them to tell the truth.
II Corinthians 8:21 “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.”
Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
We can also lie with our actions. When we flatter others to gain their support we have lied. When our actions say one thing and the truth is another we lie! When we sing praises to God and gossip about our neighbor we have lied. When we tell someone everything is ok when it is not, we lie. There are so many ways that we lie daily, that we have come to think it is ok, but God still sees it as a lie. God detests lying lips. Proverbs 12:22 teaches this truth, but there is hope in this verse for those who are truthful, they are a delight to the Lord.
Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
Becoming honest brings vulnerability, but this allows us to realize our need for God. We cannot be honest if we are not depending on Him for guidance. The sinful nature we have will always seek comfort and preservation, and always being truthful may lead to unwanted consequences. The only way to conquer this sin is to draw closer to Him. Drawing close to Him reveals our sins to us. The Bible says there is no darkness in Him, therefore the light exposes us to our own dishonesty. We must see it before we can change it.
I John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Today, take time to check yourself. Are you living honestly, or are you trying to portray yourself as something you are not? Have you lived a lie so long that you have come to believe it? Come before God today and ask Him to help you see anything in your life that is not honest. Be still, and the Holy Spirit will reveal what you need to change. Ask for forgiveness and live with the freedom that honest lives experience.
