All around us we see people who are very dishonest.  I have known people who lie when it would be better to just tell the
truth.  At the close of 2007 credit card companies reported that accounts which were 90 days overdue had increased 50% in
2007 (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/12/23/financial/f113330S73.DTL).  We never know when
employers, banks, or anyone else is going to fall short of their promises to us.  Worse than all of that, it is getting increasingly
harder to trust those with whom we are to find like precious faith.

     I am not surprised to hear that people of the world sign their names to a credit card slip, but do not pay the bill.  I am not
surprised that a worldly army recruiter might promise something he knows he cannot deliver.  Brethren, we ought to be
surprised when one of our own does not tell the truth, pay their bills, etc.          

     Sometimes Christians find the way of the world easier to follow.  I was amazed once to find a member of the Lord’s body
screening calls because bill collectors were calling.  They even joked about not answering the phone.  This couple would tell
you to just speak on the answering machine and they would then pick up the phone (this was before the days of caller
identification devices).  Brethren, we are supposed to be a light unto this world (Matthew 5:14-16 and Philippians 2:15-16).  
We should not be living in such a way that we have to hide ourselves.  We are to be a people who are without blame [fault]
(Ephesians 1:3-4 and II Peter 3:14), not a people who have many charges that can be made against us.  These people that
claimed to be Christians and had to hide from banks calling to collect overdue bills are no different than those who shed the
blood of the innocent (Proverbs 6:16-19).

     As we examine the subject matter of honesty, will you be honest in truly examining yourself (II Corinthians 13:5)?  
Sometimes people find ways to justify lying.  Regardless of the justification of men, the damnation of those who lie is sure
(Revelation 21:8).  We are people of truth, so let us be such!


     The main body points of this article are going to simply be quotes of Scriptures.  There are just so many to examine, I don’t
want any more of my words to take their place.  Thus, notice the following Scriptures about honesty and lies.  Keep in mind
that a vow is a promise as you look at some of these passages.  Now, notice what the Lord says.

     “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath:
but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation…  When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer
not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.  Better is it that thou shouldest not
vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.  Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before
the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands…  
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds…  I have not written unto you because
ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth…  Blessed are they that do his
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For
without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh
a lie...  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by
your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (James 5:12, Ecclesiastes 5:4-6,
Colossians 3:9, I John 2:21, Revelation 22:14-15, and I Peter 2:11-12).

     “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies…  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men…  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness,
not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof…  He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false
witness deceit.  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.  The lip of
truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine
evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy” (Proverbs 14:5, Romans 12:17, Romans 13:12-14, and Proverbs 12:17-20).


     Whether we tell something to God or man, we’d better keep our word (Romans 1:18; 31 and Psalms 50:14-15).  Liars
are children of the devil (John 8:44).  I suppose that would make us all ask ourselves who we really belong to.  If you are a liar,
the answer is obvious.  We need to be people who can be trusted.  Even in the case wherein Paul spoke of finances, he did all
that he could to be honest and forthright.  In fact, as funds would be taken from Corinth to poor saints, Paul made provisions
for accounting of those funds.  Notice what he said: “And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this
grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: Avoiding this,
that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in
the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (II Corinthians 8:18-21).

Brethren, let’s be like Paul and be able to say the following: “Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I
lie not” (Galatians 1:20).  We need to be a people of truth in every way.  When we speak of God’s word let’s handle it aright
(II Timothy 2:14-18).  When it is our own words, let’s make sure they are the truth (II Corinthians 11:31).  Be an honest
person and continue in that manner of life.
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXXIV   ~   May 18th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
Are You An Honest Person?
By: Brian A. Yeager
We Need To Keep Our Word
Conclusion