The old-fashioned virtues of honesty and integrity are too often missing today in the Christian religion. In many cases, a man’s word is no longer his bond. Christians think about manipulating a situation using untruths.
The norm today is it’s all right for spouses to lie to one another in the name of keeping the peace. Parents lie to their own children and vice versa. Employers and employees do the same. Advertisers lie to sell products. Politicians lie in order to get things their way.
Remember John Edward during the 2008 presidential campaign. He confessed lying and told a few more lies in the process of his confession. The Lord included lying as one of the Ten Commandments, and I believe He takes this sin very seriously. The Greek word for ‘honesty’ is ‘kalos.’ It means “that which is good and admirable and becoming.”
It also carries with it the ethical meaning of what is fair, right, honorable, and of such conduct as deserves esteem. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of honesty. The Apostle Peter wrote: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps, who did no sin, neither was guild found in His mouth,” 1 Peter 2:21-22).
The Greek word for guile is ‘dolos.’ It means “to decoy” or “to bait.” Jesus baited no one and used no trickery. Many Christians do not look on lying as the grievous sin that it is. There are people who would not consider attending a dirty movie, but they will lie at the drop of a hat. The Bible has a lot to say about honesty. Proverbs 6 lists lying as one of the seven things the Lord hates. “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight,” Proverbs 12:22.
Don’t allow yourself to be used like a pawn on a chessboard, being pushed by someone with deceit in their hearts to fulfill their own goals. Someone has said, “Honesty is the best policy.” No, I believe honesty is the only policy.
My weekly prayer is that the reader of this commentary becomes spiritually inspired of God.
Contact Expressions of Faith at P.O. Box 330127, Nashville, Tenn. 37203; or e-mail <w310watson@aol.com>. God bless.
