| Let Your
Light Shine — Lesson 3BY BEING HONESTIntroductionA. Text: Eph. 4:25.B. We
live in an environment where dishonesty is a major problem — in society at
large, in the denominational world,and even in the Lord’s church.C. Some
forms of dishonesty are not only accepted but defended as harmless, e.g.
cheating on taxes. Cf. Isa. 59:14.D. Th e children of God are called upon to
be lights shining in a dark world (Phil. 2:15), and nowhere do we have a
betteropportunity to do this than in the matter of honesty.I. HONESTY IS A
PART OF GODLINESSA. Truth is a part of the essence of God’s own character –
Tit. 1:2. Cf. Num. 23:19; Rom. 3:4; Hb. 6:18.1. We are able to trust God (put
our faith in Him) for the very reason that He is a God of truth – Deut.
32:4.2. Jesus is the “Faithful and True Witness” (Rev. 3:14). Cf. 19:11;
etc.3. We are to follow the example of Him in whose mouth guile was never
found – 1 Pt. 2:22.B. Ultimately, all lying involves our relationship to God
– Ac. 5:1-11.1. Certainly, we cannot lie to God.2. But neither can we lie to
anybody else without the knowledge of God – Hb. 4:13. Cf. Psa. 90:8.C. Lying
is at the heart of the devil’s character, and engaging in it gives us a
kinship with him rather than God – Jn. 8:44.D. Deceit is essentially selfi sh
and covetous, whereas honesty is motivated by love – 1 Cor. 13:6.E. Our minds
— and hence our characters — are to be fi lled with what is true and noble –
Phil. 4:8.1. “True” (KJV) = alethes (real, actual).2. “Honest” (KJV) = semnos
(noble, honorable).F. God desires “truth in the inward parts” (Psa. 51:6).II.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS ASPECTS OF HONESTYA. An honest person always tells the
truth.1. He never lies – Prov. 6:16-19; Eph. 4:25; Rev. 21:8.2. An honest
person speaks the truth even in his own heart – Psa. 15:2. Cf. Psa. 51:6.B.
But there are other aspects of honesty:1. Th e honest person never steals –
Eph. 4:28.2. He never commits fraud, cheats, or acts unfairly.3. He never
acts hypocritically or with guile.– 9 –4. He checks to make sure about what
is true.5. He always keeps confi dences.6. He always keeps his word – Mt.
5:37. Honesty is conforming our words to reality, while integrity is
conformingreality to our words.7. He always acts “in good faith.”8. He stands
up for truth as its friend — he is willing to confront dishonesty, deception,
and misrepresentation. Cf.Exo. 23:1,2.C. We must strive for consistent
honesty in all its various aspects.III. WE MUST BE HONEST BECAUSE IT IS
RIGHT, PERIODA. Honesty is a potent force for good in the world — but to
exert its infl uence it must be unconditional honesty: the kindthat will deal
truthfully and fairly even when “no one is looking.”B. Honesty is the best
policy, but the man is not really honest who is honest only the grounds of
“expediency.” Th ere aretimes when dealing truthfully and faithfully requires
the sacrifi ce of personal interest. Cf. Psa. 15:4.C. We need to be “men of
truth” (Exo. 18:21): people of unquestioned integrity, honor, and sincerity.
Cf. 1 Pt. 2:12; 3:16.D. We need to be people who are capable of living on the
“honor system.”ConclusionA. “Honest” in the KJV oft en translates the Greek
kalos which meant “good” in the sense of beautiful, comely, etc.1. Th ere is
an attractiveness about truth and honor that has a benefi cial eff ect on
those who come in contact withit – Rom. 12:17. Cf. Lk. 8:15; 2 Cor. 8:21;
13:7; Hb. 13:18; 1 Pt. 2:12.2. Kalos is exactly the word translated “good” in
Mt. 5:16: “that they may see your good works.”B. Honesty is one way we are to
“adorn the gospel” – Tit. 2:10.C. As valuable as a reputation for honesty is,
there are few things harder to get back once |
