Honestly, It's Basic!

Let me share a sad, but true story with you. Back in the early 80's I was teaching in a Christian School. During one of the Christmas breaks I went into my office and found that several answer keys were missing. Upon comparing the subject and levels of the keys that were missing with the subject and work levels of the students in the High School class it became clear who must have been in possession of them. The next step was to make a home visit, which I did, accompanied by one of the other teachers in the school. After explaining the situation to this student's parents, they called their child into the room and confronted him with the evidence, which he denied. The saddest part of the encounter, however, was when his parents looked at him and said something to the effect, "You have lied to us so many times before that you are going to have to wait and see how this turns out. We cannot stand behind you and support your claim." To keep the story short and get to the point of today's focus I'll just say that the school administrator was able to get him to confess and return the answer keys. He also ended up being dismissed from the school.

How sad that he had created a situation where even his parents could not accept his word for sure. The difficulty is that once one has been known to lie, how can they be believed about anything? Honesty is a basic basic! It's as basic as it gets because so much rests on whether or not we can be taken at our word. And if we are dishonest in one area of our life, why should we be believed in other areas?

Paul exhorted. . .
"(25) Therefore, having PUT AWAY FALSEHOOD, let each one of you SPEAK THE TRUTH with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." ( Ephesians 4:25 ESV)

And in Proverbs we read. . .
"(8) REMOVE FAR FROM ME FALSEHOOD AND LYING; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me," ( Proverbs 30:8 ESV)

After all, WHO are we striving to model our life after? Note the accusation Jesus directed at some who rejected Him. We read. . .

"(44) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRUTH, because THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he lies, he SPEAKS OUT OF HIS OWN CHARACTER, for he is a liar and the father of lies." ( John 8:44 ESV)

Is that the character resembling our life? Or are we aiming to be like Jesus who is ". . . the way, and THE TRUTH and the life. . . ." ( John 14:6) and God, Who as the Hebrew writer stated, ". . . it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE." ( Hebrews 6:18)

Out of what character do we speak? What has become our native language? Is it "lienese" or is it "HONESTese"? May we be people of integrity. Let us guard our words, remembering that honesty is a basic basic.

Have a great day BEING KNOWN AS ONE WHOSE WORDS CAN BE DEPENDED ON
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent for 08/18/1998 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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See other teEn-MAIL on Honesty