WISDOM FROM PROVERBS
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Proverbs 11:3, ESV)
While doing some research online recently, I came across an article that offered tips on how to tell convincing lies. One of the tips was to add a little truth to the story to make it sound credible. (That tip reminded me of the serpent talking to Eve in the garden.) Another suggestion said to keep the lie simple. Don’t make it complicated. One article went on to say, “Everyone needs to tell a little fib every now and then.”
At first, this all sounded amusing, but then I thought how sad that dishonesty was considered acceptable behavior.
THE BEST POLICY
We may say, “Honesty is the best policy,” but we don’t always live by that policy. If we become careless, little compromises, little white lies, little inconsistencies begin to slip in. We overlook that what we said or did was not completely honest.
While shopping with an acquaintance, one of her items did not get scanned at checkout. Instead of pointing this out to the salesclerk so it could be corrected, she was excited to get something free. It was a small action, but it made me wonder what other things she found acceptable.
Someone once remarked that “There are no degrees of honesty.” We like to think there are “little things” like an unscanned item or perhaps too much change being returned. Then there are “big things” like robbing a bank or stealing a car. That assumption is incorrect. Luke 16:10 tells us:
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (ESV)
AREAS OF HONESTY
When we think about honesty, there are three areas that we should consider.
First, we must be honest with God. Psalm 51:6 tells us that He desires “truth in the inward parts.” Do we see our sin as God sees it, or do we excuse it a weakness, a slip-up, or mistake? Truth is needed because our heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV).
Next, we must be honest with others. We can be dishonest by gossiping, telling half-truths, or subtly putting someone down to make ourselves look better. Perhaps we make promises and then never carry through. Or we can lie by just being silent when we should clarify a statement or refute an untruth. Ephesians 4:25 tells us, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (ESV).
Finally, we must be honest with ourselves. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit” (ESV). We do not always see ourselves in the same way as God sees us. We excuse our actions and convince ourselves that all is well. It’s easy to justify our behaviors when we should be asking God to shine His spotlight on them and to reveal the truth. Like David, we should cry out, “Search me, O God” (Psalm 139:23).
The apostle Paul wrote, “For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man” (II Corinthians 8:21, ESV). We should strive for this goal as well.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
- What are some everyday situations that challenge our honesty?
- What does honesty, or lack of honesty, reveal about our character?
- Does honesty affect our relationships with others? How?
- What are the blessings of being honest?
- What are the consequences of being dishonest?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
