What Does the Bible Say About Honesty? [Ecumenical]

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[Salvation]

What Does the Bible Say About Honesty?

Lee Andrew Henderson

 

We've all heard the saying "honesty is the best policy" but who first said that famous quote?--snip-- honesty is the best

 policy stems from the Bible.

Sometimes people think of Honesty as telling the truth, but that's not completely true. Honesty includes telling the truth but it's more than that. Being an honest person means being a good person. The Greek word for honesty is "kalos." Kalos means that which is good and admirable and becoming. --snip--

 

Honesty is a standard that God expects Christians to meet. There are many verses through out the Bible --snip-- on honesty. In 1 Timothy 2:2 we are told "live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." In 1 Thessalonians we are told that we should live in a way that "your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Even when others are --snip-- wrong we should still remain honest. Romans 12:17 tells us "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."

The Bible also tells of...benefits of being an honest person. ...Hebrews 13:5 an honest man will be content with life. In 1 Timothy 2:2 we are told that an honest person will have a quiet and peaceful life. Hebrews 13:18 tells us that an honest person will have a good conscience. In Acts 6:3 we are told that the honest are recommended for positions of responsibility.

[Salvation]

Are we truly being honest on our FR posts?

Or do we tell others that our opinion is "honest" and theirs are "lies?"

I believe our conscience knows, and I would hope that many here take the opportunity to openly admit when they have not been honest.

[Salvation]

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[El Cid]

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

[Salvation]

Thanks; I going back to church since I am a sponsor for osomeone in the RCIA class. Be back later.

[One Name]

The only confusion I have ever had with this concept is the story of Rahab and Joshua’s spies (Joshua 2:1), later mentioned as an act of faith in Hebrews 11:31.

She apparently did the right thing. What am I missing?

[johngrace]

Do you lie to Nazis about hiding jews in your attic? If you do you equate it with not lying among people on a thread. Who are you saving? Your pride.

Proverbs 16:Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

[One Name]

Never hid any Jews in my attic.

“satan is the father of all lies.”

Just asking- don’t get your dander up. Didn’t think I was sounding haughty.

Is it OK to lie to the enemy?

[Oratam]

What Does the Bible Say About Honesty?

umm . . . it's fer it?

[El Cid]

To paraphrase Post 6:
Rahab lied to save Joshua's spies, yet she is included in the famous Hebrews 11 pantheon of the heroes of faith.
God abhors lying -- so what's the deal?

Tough question -- but first of all remember why Rahab was called a hero of faith. She, being a gentile (and a Caananite), alone amongst the inhabitants of Jericho believed in God and gave her allegiance to God. She didn't care whether it was risking her life (she'd be considered a traitor to her people) - but she knew God was God and that she should serve HIM - no matter what the cost.

Joshua 2:9-10 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

Note that she wasn't the only one who heard what happened ("...we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea ..."), but she alone of the people of Jericho believed. As such she was a "hero" (or heroine) of Faith. And not only that she was a physical ancestor of David the King and Jesus our LORD (God manifest in the flesh).

But yes, she lied. Perhaps a reasonable analogy is what we read in Exodus 1. The Hebrew mid-wives Shiphrah and Puah lied to save the Hebrew babies. Why did they lie? Because they feared God (Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.).
So it was with Rahab. She feared God.
We should never lie, but God alone sees our hearts. If we are truly acting out of fear and reverence for God - we should do so - no matter what.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men".

[Salvation]

If you are at war, you have those military rules to follow. Just as a policeman has police department rules to follow.

[Salvation]

Leviticus 19:11 says that an honest person does not lie.

[Salvation]

Proverbs 17:2 tells us that an honest man is not lazy.

[Salvation]

**Proverbs 17:2 tells us that an honest man is not lazy.**

I remember when my kids had jobs picking berries where we live, that I told them to be honest they had to refrain from eating the berries.

Personal experience.

(Or throwing them across the field at someone.) But none of you ever did anything like that? Right?

[Salvation]

 

A PRAYER FOR THE VIRTUE OF HONESTY

Jesus, Prince of all Heavenly truths,

Your Words are carved for eternity!

You have commanded the virtue of honesty,

It is the power against all deceptions.

Direct Your Spirit of honesty upon me,

That by soul may always remain stainless.

Guide my daily thoughts, words and actions,

To join those living by the Spirit of truth.

For honesty yields harmony and loyalty,

Enriching all human relationships.

By the power of Your Spirit that flourishes,

Honesty will prevail in this world!

 

We pray in your holy name, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

[proudpapa]

Zechariah 8:16 is a good one.

[Salvation]

Zechariah 8
16	These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace,

[Jeff Chandler]

I remember a discussion I once had with a Born Again minister. I contended that it would be acceptable to lie to a NAZI to protect a Jew. He asserted that any lie was an unacceptable sin.

I fear for his congregation.

[Cronos]

You ask a good question. It’s like saying — what about those soldiers who kill bad people, when killing is wrong. Here’s my two cents on it — my own opinion, mind you — Rahab sinned when she lied, even if it was for a good thing, even if it was for God’s sake. She would need to repent for this, but yet at the same time, she was rewarded for doing the difficult thing.

[Cronos]

In light of what you said, let me add on to my opinion above. A lie is a lie, no matter what, but sometimes you must do it for a greater good. You still have to repent for this, but you will be rewarded for the greater good.