Introduction
We have heard it said that honesty is the best policy, but it is also a wise observation when people recognize that the all-hearing, all-seeing eyes of God see and hear all that we do and register all our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Honesty in Strong’s Greek is ‘euschemon’, defined as acting with pure motives, purely, sincerely. Other synonymous words/meanings would be not lying/cheating, straightforward, truthfulness, integrity.
Dishonesty
The opposite of honesty is dishonesty. It is cheating and lying to gain an advantage or money. One of seven abominations in Prov 6:7 is lying. This was a common trait in the OT and NT. David was dishonest – he lied, when he sent Uriah to his death and was confronted by the prophet Nathan; he was rebuked for it. Heaven does not admit liars and dishonest people (Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15). In Singapore, in 2020, there were 12,251 dishonest/cheating cases online, scams etc.
In the US, 64% of people will lie “when it is safe to do so as long as it does not cause any real damage”. 30% would cheat on their taxes. 54% would call in sick to get a day off. I wonder what the statistics would be here in Singapore. During the Covid pandemic, many could have been dishonest by declaring themselves sick to avoid going back to work, some cases of using another’s Covid test result and other forms of misusing the general guidelines; these are all acts of dishonesty.
Abram’s Honesty and Integrity – Genesis 14
Abram waged war to rescue his brother. He won and the king of Sidon offered to allow Abram to keep all the goods he had won. Abram’s response was that he would “take nothing” that is not his; in doing so, he showed complete integrity in his actions. He trusted only in God’s providence.
Contrasted with King Saul – 1 Sam 13:1-20
King Saul believed that he had acted in all honesty in fulfilling God’s commandments when he spared King Agag and kept some of the spoils, in order to sacrifice them to God. He was rebuked by the prophet Samuel. Saul did not act in honesty was told “To obey is better than to sacrifice”.
Conduct becoming of a Christian
‘Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men’. (2 Cor 8:21, KJV). The word of God expects us to act honourably in all circumstances towards God and to man. This is even if our actions will disadvantage us or cause us to lose out. We may be reprimanded or even face some consequences because of our honest actions, but we will find favour with God, even if not among men.
‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue (moral goodness), and if there be any praise, think on these things.’ – Phil 4:8, KJV.
‘That you walk honestly toward them that are without.’ – 1 Thess 4:2, KJV.
We must also understand that our dishonest acts may cause hurt or harm to the situation of others, which is conduct unbecoming of a Christian.
We should thus be honest, and people with integrity that people can trust, whilst carrying the name of Christ – i.e. Christian. We should be people whom our friends and employers can trust. We should be people whom other people would not expect to cheat, lie, or compromise ourselves.
In our service to God, we must act and serve with utmost honesty, whether in our giving of our means or serving God and the church (His body) in many areas of church work. We should be honest in our speech and honest in keeping our obligations. Train up our children to be honest and explain to them the rationale whilst they are still trainable. In preaching the word, we preach the whole truth in all truthfulness (honesty) to all man, without fear or favour.
The world around us may try and compel us to follow their lead, a little dishonesty is all right, no one needs to know, it can make the sale – money or profit for the employer, you will be rewarded etc. The Christian should always act in honesty and truthfulness.
Rom 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Conclusion
Proverbs 20:17 – ‘Bread gained by deceit (dishonesty) is sweet to a man. But afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel (stones).’ – Basically, not worth it.
Christians must be people that the world can respect because they then can be confident that we will act in honesty, not sometimes but every time. They can appreciate how separate we are from the world, and hold us up as examples. God has given us the avenue of seeking forgiveness and reconciling with Him if our words and actions were not honest – truthful.