Bible Thoughts

July 9, 2000

The local newspaper had this as a subheadline: Americans are evenly split on whether Bush or Gore is more honest. More honest? Either one is honest or dishonest. There are no degrees to honesty. If you have a hard time recognizing whether one is honest or dishonest, you better read your Bible. There may be, in the eyes of men, several in the Old Testament that were "more honest" than were others. But the truth is: when one tries to deceive, by word or action, he/she is dishonest. Dishonesty(when needed(?)) may be the ways of the world, but it is not the way of the Christian. Paul said as much in the passage quoted above.

Parents must be honest with their children. Telling "little fibs" to children to save embarrassment is a training ground for dishonesty. If they do not need to know, tell them they do not need to know. Don't make up a tall tale in an attempt to satisfy their curiosity. Always teach them to discern between fairy tales and the facts. Help them to learn the value of truth in all dealings with others. Explain that being honest will give them influence with righteous people while endowing them with a deep appreciation for truth itself. Emphasize that the Bible is God's truth, not a book of fables. Teach them that honesty is always right for a disciple of Christ.

Husbands and wives are to be honest with one another. Many marriages have failed because distrust has been evident in a mate. When one covers his/her actions with dishonesty, it can only lead to disaster. Such behavior could well build a situation where mates could be "bitter against" one another(Colossians 3:19). The world may cheat and lie in the marriage relationship, but Christians are to be truthful, at all times, with mates.

Christians are to be honest with their neighbors. The apostle Paul said it in II Corinthians 8:21, "For we take thoughts for things honorable[honest], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." It is not difficult to identify a dishonest person. They will not tell you the truth, they do not appreciate the truth, and they will avoid the truth if it costs them the least inconvenience. My actions and speech when I am around others will reflect the honesty to be found in a disciple. Even those who are in the world have an appreciation for honesty in others; it should be obvious in the Christian.

Christians are to be honest with other saints. Three times the apostle Paul had to assure those whom he addressed that he did not "lie"(Romans 9:1; II Corinthians 1:31; Galatians 1:28). It is easy to doubt the word of another. Apparently, there were brethren who questioned Paul's integrity and he found it necessary to defend himself. If ever a truthful person lived, surely Paul, who suffered so much, would be that kind. If any doubted, they had only to observe Paul to recognize that he was honest and upright in all his dealings with brethren and with those who were not brethren. From a worldly standpoint, Paul could have fared much better among the Jews and the Gentiles by being less honest than he was.

Christians are to be honest with God. It is possible to fool the world, fool the family, fool the brethren--but it is not possible to fool God. When Paul wrote the Philippians, among other things which Christians are to "think on" are "things that are honorable[honest]"(4:8). The Lord knows my thinking for he is able to look into my heart(mind). While one may be dishonest of heart with others, the Creator of man knows what takes place inside each person.

Honesty is a product of a person's heart. The honest person who wants to please God will recognize the Lord's teaching in the Parable of the Sower. "And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience"(Luke 8:15). A child must be taught honesty; a young adult must have it reinforced; the mature person must be careful; and all of us must strive each day to clothe our hearts in honesty. It will keep us out of trouble while being right with God. "Honesty is a good policy" is not enough; honesty is a way of life for those who would be Christians.

If you go to a physician, you want him to tell you the truth about your physical condition. If you engage an attorney, you want him to search for the truth. In the school system, you want the teachers to instruct in what is true. You even expect government officials to tell the truth. When any one of these tell you something that is not the truth or refuse to uphold the truth, you become angry and upset. In each case, your want nothing but the whole truth. How different when it comes to religion.

How many people check their Bibles to find out if the truth is being taught by their preachers and teachers? What often happens is that the audience just absorbs what is said with little thought as to challenging the truthfulness of the lesson. Not only that, but they will chide anyone who dares to question "my preacher," who is such a wonderful and caring person. If he is such a caring person, should he not care for the truth of God?

The truth of the gospel does not suit the majority. Truth conflicts with their fleshly feelings and aims. Truth may contradict what their parents taught. Truth may demand that I give up certain beliefs and practices. Truth does demand that I live a holy and righteous life in God's sight. Truth demands that I make sacrifices even for truth itself.

Truth will lead me to find the commands of God in the New Testament. Those commands may be different from what I have heard or my parents practiced or my friends accept, but the truth is of such value that the Proverb writer said, "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding"(23:23). Paul and the other apostles sacrificed their lives, refusing to give up the truth. What kind of a price am I willing to pay to have the truth?