Text: Proverbs 19:9, Hebrews 13:18
Opening Statement:
Virtue is morally good behavior or character. It is the thinking and the doing of what is good, and avoidance of what is not good. In other words, it is moral excellence. The virtue we are zeroing in on today is honesty, which signifies conveying the truth both in word and in deed. This quality is an essential aspect of God’s own nature and purposes and is expected of those whom He calls His people. A person of integrity is one who follows his or her moral or ethical convictions, and does the right thing in all circumstances, especially when it is not convenient; even when no one is watching.
Does anyone tell the truth anymore? What does Honesty really Look Like?
I) The Importance of Our Honesty
Honesty is of utmost importance in human relations. The honesty that I am talking about is not just informing an umpire that you did or did not tag a base runner out; it is not just truth-telling; it is truth-living.
It is the honesty that the prophet Jeremiah sought, (Jer. 5:1 NIV).
We live in a world that values tolerance over truth. The age of relativism teaches people to not value truth as a top priority. Isn't it about time that we who call ourselves followers of Christ, the one who called himself "The Truth," become known for our honesty?
II) A Biblical Example of Honesty (2 Kings 12)
Joash was King of Judah. He noticed that the temple was in need of repair. He places a chest at the entrance door of the temple with an opening in the top so people could drop in their offerings for the temple repairs.
How did Joash's building superintendents handle the money? Look at verse 2 Kings 12:15. The NIV states, ". . they acted with complete honesty."
That's the kind of people I want if I am building a house or a church. In fact, that is the kind of people I want around me in all of my dealings. Don't you?
III) Some Important Observations About Honesty
A) Honesty Is Always The Best Policy
Four students arrived late to take a test. "And what is your excuse?" inquired the teacher. "We had a flat tire," they all said in unison. Without getting upset, the teacher asked the students to take their seats. "The test is but one question," said the teacher. "Which tire went flat?" Honesty is still, and will always be, the best policy.
That is why the writer of Proverbs wrote, "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment" (Proverbs 12:19).
B) Honesty Makes You Complete
To be honest is to be real, genuine, authentic, and bona fide. To be dishonest is to be partly feigned, forged, fake, or fictitious.
Notice again what the text says of these building superintendents, "They worked with integrity" (2 Kings 12:15). The building superintendents of Joash were completely honest and that made them complete.
C) Honesty Pleases God.
Yes, we should practice honesty because of the social ramifications. But we should also, and more importantly, practice honesty because it pleases God. As children of the light, we should walk in the light of truthfulness and faithfulness. The Proverb says, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but faithful people are His delight".
D) Honesty Is Best Developed When Taken Seriously
Honesty is best cultivated, like most virtues, when exercised and developed in harmony with the other virtues. The more honesty is exercised, the more it becomes a settled disposition. In three words: take it seriously.
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