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.

[One Name]

Thanks for your responses- I had to retire last night.

In the prison business in the course of unwinding inmate subversion we had to mislead (lie) frequently, misdirect, protect informants, etc.

I always thought we were 1: doing it for the right reason (security,peace, defusing situations) 2: trying to protect or prevent violence, especially against staff or those inmates helping us, but even to protect the evildoers from harm.

[Salvation]

Another good example — what a job! God bless you for all the risks you lived through.

[will of the people]

Interesting post.

I think there is a difference between ‘honesty’ and ‘truth’

And even with truth we are commanded to speak it in love. That seems to presuppose that truth can be spoken without love.

Some of the biggest religious jerks I know hide behind “I’m just being honest” or “Just telling the truth, man”

I don’t think that always pleases God.

I’m not reccomending lying, but ‘stream of consciousness’ data dumping of honesty isn’t what we’re called to either.

RE: the questions of Rahab and lying.

I got into a big argument with a professor at a very conservative Bible College as a student. His contention was that the Bible does not teach situational ethics.

I brought up Rahab.

He said ‘that’s different, it was war’

I said “So in the situation of war, ethics change and are spoken of positively later (Hebrews).

It didn’t sit well.

But yes situations DO affect ethics.

How else can we reconcile teachings against suicide with “greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for another” Different situations.

Why else would Nathan approach David with the story of killing the pet sheep as being morally wrong- killing sheep is perfectly acceptable.

It was because the relationship the man had loving the sheep like a family member that changed the value of the it in the eyes of David (and of God it can be argued).

This is why we have prosecutorial discretion and truisms like ‘sprit of the law’.

And it’s why truth is not a drive-by shooting shield we can hide behind- we must speak the truth in love to please God; and that means we are responsible to some degree for the EFFECT our ‘honesty’ has on the receiver.

Will Wallace

[will of the people]

“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.”

I was reminded of “Don’t muzzle the ox when he is treading out the grain”.

I think there’s balance that can be argued here

will wallace

[Salvation]

Excellent post there. Thanks.

[El Cid]

Re: 39
Thank you for your kind words.
God's Word is truly a treasure. When we find something in God's Word that seems to contradict itself we need to search harder.
We start with the first principles that the Bible IS God's Word: Therefore it is true; therefore it does not contradict itself.
So if we think we think we found a contradiction in HIS Word we need to remember who we are (fallible men and women with limited minds diseased with sin) and who is the author of the Bible (God) - and search through the scriptures.
In the example of Rahab, I can only say that God alone knows our hearts. If we are truly doing something to achieve HIS Glory (as was Rahab) - then it is well.

I was just listening to the Epistle of James yesterday, and I forgot he also had a reference to Rahab:

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

The work God had prepared for Rahab was to protect Joshua's spies. She did her duty.
Let us endeavor to do ours.

May the Good Lord bless thee and keep thee.