Honesty matters!
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Prov. 12:22 ESV)
When I was a little boy, my dad told me that a man is only as good as his word. It was at a time when deals were still made verbally and sealed with a handshake—honesty and integrity were important, and most people sincerely believed it to be true.
How times have changed!
It’s difficult to hear anyone speak the absolute truth on any news platform anymore. Everyone lies boldly. You have been trained to be skeptical of everyone. And no more verbal deals sealed with a handshake—they must be in writing, verified, notarized, and electronically recorded! Even then, there are lawyers available who specialize in breaking just about any contract.
Have we lost sight of the importance of honesty? It’s still important!
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Prov. 11:3 ESV)
Honest directions —Imagine you are driving down the road and you come to a crossroads. There are no signs or signals to indicate which way you should go, and you are feeling uncertain about which direction to take. Suddenly, a stranger approaches your car and offers to help you. They give you clear and straightforward directions, telling you exactly where to go and how to get there. You feel relieved and grateful for their honesty, and you follow their directions without hesitation.
Dishonest directions—Now imagine a different scenario. You are again at the same crossroads, but this time, the stranger who approaches your car gives you misleading directions. They tell you to turn left when you should have gone right, or they give you convoluted and confusing instructions that lead you astray. You end up getting lost, wasting time and perhaps even endangering yourself or others in the process.
Make honesty your aim!
“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” (2 Cor. 8:21 ESV)
When people are honest with us, they give us the information we need to make informed decisions and take the right actions. They help us navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence. But when people are dishonest, they create confusion and chaos, leading us down the wrong path and causing unnecessary harm.
Therefore
Honesty is vital because it promotes clarity, trust, and growth in all aspects of life. Whether we are navigating unfamiliar roads or navigating complex relationships, honesty helps us find our way and stay on the right path.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.) (Phil. 4:8-9 ESV)