The word "honesty"
comes from the Greek word SEMNOTES, and is defined by W.E. Vine's
Expository Dictionary Of New Testament words as follows: "denotes
gravity, dignified seriousness." That last phrase struck a chord in
the mind of this writer. It’s on those two words that I wish to
expound on in this article.
"Dignified
seriousness" must be exercised from
within an individual,
not merely on the exterior. Specifically here, I speak of being
honest with one's own self,
as well as with one's fellowman. The Bible contains much teaching on
the subject of practicing honesty both in word and deed to all those
with whom we meet in everyday life. The Apostle Peter said to the
brethren of his day and time, "Having your conversation honest among
the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
they may by your good words, which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12). Then in 2
Corinthians 8:21, Paul tells the church there, "Providing for
honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the
sight of all men." Truly, the Bible says we must be honest with
humankind.
On the same level,
however, God's book also manifests the necessity of
inward honesty. While
there are many, many people who would not so much as
think of being dishonest
with anybody whose paths they cross, which is most commendable, by
the same token, a lot of these same ones are not totally honest with
the person they must live with the most and view in the mirror
daily. This area of honesty is also required by God.
In Hebrews 11:6,
the writer teaches, "But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Nobody can make it
to Heaven on Judgment Day who is not honest with self. The
combination of definitions used by W.E. Vine on "diligently" say,
"earnestly; speedily; carefully; thoroughly; accurately;
circumspectly; perfectly." Surely anyone of an open and accountable
mind can see self-honesty hidden in all these definitions, for in
order to possess such
a mind composed of diligence, one would have to be just
that----honest with self. So, by common sense, this would be
mandatory with----and accompany----being honest in one's own
mind!
Complete honesty
with self, as well as with the rest of humanity, is what makes up a
righteous man, along with
leading a man to reach such a state. Luke's
account of Jesus' explanation of the Parable Of The Sower declares
in chapter 8:15, "But that on the good ground are those which
in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and
bring forth fruit with patience." "Keep it," Luke teaches. The man
honest with his own inward spirit will not only accept the words of
God, he will also retain them in his life, thus, never letting them
go. This one will realize all the way that he must "Buy the truth,
and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding"
(Proverbs 23:23). Since truth can't be anything
except that of being
totally honest, the sincerity of a fully honest man will demand that
he grasp all Biblical truth, and for the rest of his life, cling to
it with a bulldog grip! This was part of a number of stern rebukes
Jesus gave to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23,
especially in verses 25-28. Please read them. The hearts of
these so-called “leaders” were far from being honest! This leads to
the question: How honest are you and I?
One such man in
the Old Testament that sought absolute honesty with his own self was
King David. He tells us in Psalm 15:1-2, "Lord, who shall
abide in they tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that
walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth
in his heart." The words "in his heart" would show that not only
will the person who walks "uprightly" be honest with other people,
he will live honestly with himself, and not be the product of a
two-sided spirit (i.e., likewise speaking and living honestly when
not in the presence of others, along with doing so because he knows
that's what God expects of him, and so, he is honest, both inwardly
and outwardly, not simply due to his
having to be so, but
also to his wanting
to be so). Besides, doesn't God see all and hear all, right on down
to being able to read what is in our hearts (Hebrews 4:12)?
Just like our weekly contribution shouldn't be given out of a
begrudging nature (2 Corinthians 9:7), so should complete,
inward honesty not be done strictly out of its being a must. In
fact, such can't be done. Honesty with one's own self will be what’s
adamantly desired, to
be sure.
How honest are our
hearts when it comes to the Word of God? Are we peeved at the Bible
when we open its hallowed pages, read what it says, and find our
toes being stepped on by a God who loves us and wants us to dwell
with Him in eternity? To be angry at the scriptures is to be angry
with your Creator who had them written, and such reveals the wrong
kind of heart. Think about it! Do we hate it when the preacher,
Bible class teacher, or some concerned Christian reads the
scripture(s) that tell us we need to start doing something or cease
doing it? What about some beliefs that need to be discontinued, as
well as those needing to be embraced? Do we feel that
our ideas are a "cut
above" God's and/or everyone else's? Always better? What about
having the humility and honesty to admit when we're wrong about
something or someone? Sad to say, I’ve known those whom I've never,
ever seen nor heard, no not once, admit being wrong, along with
never, no not once, seeing nor hearing them apologize for their
erroneous actions. What about recognizing life to be a combination
of give and take, instead of all taking? Is there a big need to
improve character, but you refuse to do so? How about an addiction
or a bad habit that needs so much to be broken? Are there "mending
fences" that you need to do--or at least attempt--with others? What
about certain hobbies, projects, or desired program(s) you wish to
introduce to a church or some group----or perhaps even engage in on
your own? Are they desired out of pure and helpful motives, or is
there an "axe to grind" at someone(s)? No doubt, the hardest person
to conquer is self. This writer for one has learned some lessons
along that line in life. The age-old saying goes, "Self-conquest is
the greatest of victories." Amen and amen! All of these things stem
from the need to develop inward honesty. Denial and cover-up
accomplish the sum total of nothing, for respect and admiration are
not gained by others trying earnestly to live the Christian life, or
at least a morally decent life, and the worst kind of deceit sets in
here: lying to one's own self! Well, can’t the reader see that this
isn’t seeking honesty on the inside?
Of all creatures
of the flesh existing, none can be more stubborn, stiff-necked, or
bullheaded than the human being. Such is ever so evident in God's
Word; not only of those whom we read about who were disobedient in
the Old Testament----individuals, groups, throngs, Jews as well as
Gentiles----but also many of the Jews living during and immediately
after the time of Christ. Note what the beloved Stephen said to a
group of Jews in his sermon, just prior to his being stoned to death
by that same group, thus, greatly manifesting their dishonest
hearts: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ear, ye do
always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which
of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have
slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of
whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received
the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it" (Acts
7:51-53). "Jesus, we don't
want you!" is what many a Jew said here to Stephen, as
per their attitude and actions, as well as when Jesus spoke in their
very presence. Read all four of the Gospel books and see the sad
fact of this.
The individual not
containing a heart that is honest enough to allow the precious,
loving, soul-saving gospel of Christ to sink into it in order for it
to take root and grow, will ever, no never, succeed in obtaining
eternal life----pure, plain, and simple! After all, Christ uttered
those ever so wonderful words to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
I can hear somebody saying right now, "Amen, Preacher! Jesus said
that one must be baptized in order to be saved! For after all,
Mark 16:16 and a number of other verses in the Bible plainly and
clearly teach that!" That's right! So, the one who blatantly and
stubbornly refuses baptism will be lost eternally in Hell, as the
truly honest heart
will accept and obey that particular passage, hence, resulting in
the forgiveness of his sins.
Howbeit, I don't
speak in the above paragraph of those who have been shown the truth
of God for the first time, and often need time to think about what
has been taught them, thus, allowing the gospel to take seed in
their hearts. I'm referring to those who've
heard the gospel
preached and taught repeatedly month after month, year after year,
and hence, are aware of what they need to do to have their sins
remitted (Acts 2:38), but still spurn God's invitation to
make their lives right with Him. This truly is the heart that
(often) is blatantly stubborn, and so, not honest with one's self.
This is nothing more than the sin of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12
declares, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Unbelief is
not limited to the alien sinner, but can as well enter into the
heart of the child of God.
However, I also
speak of the church member who will and should
continue on with an
honest heart in reference to his own self, as well. This type of
person will realize the benefits that such will have to his
everlasting soul, along too with life here on earth. He will also
see the difference between being a
Christian and
a member of the church.
While you can't be the former without being the latter, you can, in
all truth and fact, be the latter without being the former. If one
claims to follow and
imitate Christ, then he must, as said, "diligently" seek to do so.
Don't remain stuck and spoiled on what has been called "pet
passages." Refuse to be selective in what commands you obey as a
professed member of Christ's body. Shun allowing personal likes and
dislikes----along with other people----to run your life, instead of
what the Bible teaches. Learn that traditions and customs are often
not issued from the mouth of God (Matthew 15: 1-20).
One who is honest
with his own inward self will also battle, to the best of his
ability, sins of omission. James 4:17 says, "Therefore to
him, that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Oh, how that steps on all our toes from time to time! In speaking
the Parable Of The Unfaithful Servant, Christ taught in Luke
12:47, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and
prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many stripes." The person who is totally honest with
himself sees----and accepts----all of this right away, and so, will
act upon it! Refusing
to do so will bother his conscience, thus, spurring him on to be
zealous in the Lord's work. This will convict him to the point that
he will want to avoid being with those (after a diligent effort in
trying to get them to repent) who knew what the will of God was, but
shunned it, and so, will cause himself to be lost eternally
(Matthew 25:41-46). (Thanks be to the good Lord that not
all of our friends
outside of Christ are of the character to try and draw us away from
trying to live right!) The really honest one on the inside will make
it a point to utilize every talent he has within him for the Lord,
whether public or private, for this man of God will know what
talents he needs to use, hence, not neglecting to do so, as Christ
taught in the Parable Of The Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Indeed, the
completely honest man of heart will not cheat nor lie to himself,
let alone anybody else. Another adage applies: "A better world
begins with me." So is this true for a better attitude; a better
character; a better influence; a better marriage; a better parent; a
better friendship; a better job performance; a better leader; a
better follower; a better law-abiding citizen; and yes,
collectively, this will result in a better congregation of the
Lord's church!
Don't you wish to
attract, rather than
repel? Isn't it your
desire to gain,
instead of lose? All
of this depends on how honest your heart really is about yourself. I
suppose the hardest examination to give is the one to self. Besides,
if a preacher is supposed to give such to himself as a leader, then
why not the entire membership too? Aren't
both parties supposed to
set the proper example, and not just the preacher? Most definitely
so!
All in all, be
open and honest about your own self, as well as with other people.
However, a word of caution is in place here: Do not let inward
honesty cross over into being rude, perpetually complaining, and
meddlesome. The Bible has much to say on these two subjects, as
well. Contrary to what some people think, there are some thoughts we
all need to keep to ourselves, without letting sin go, of course.
Otherwise, all the honesty in the world shown to others, while both
morally and Biblically necessary, still won't make up for denying
pure honesty with one's own person, for it wont save your soul in
the end.
Along with baptism
Jesus also told his apostles just prior to his ascension, "Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo;
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"
(Matthew 28:20). Are you diligently trying "to observe all
things" commanded by Christ and his Heavenly Father? The Savior
won't become nor remain
our Savior if we don't obey him both
in and after our
baptism, as well. In I John 1:7, it says, "But if we walk in
the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
unrighteousness." This controversial "continuous cleansing" is only
"continuous" if the child of God ceases not to "walk in the light."
Try living like Christ to the very best of your ability without
being honest from within. There's no way! Yes, you will certainly be
a great benefit to others while here on this earth, but what
possible good will it do your soul in eternity? None whatsoever!
Christianity is a lifetime
commitment! The church at Smyrna was told by Christ, "...be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life"
(Revelation 2:10).
The person who is
completely honest with himself will acknowledge his own faults and
shortcomings, be humble, treat his fellowman fairly and right, show
concern for the soul of man, not want his way about everything, and
honor all that
Jehovah God and Jesus Christ say in the Bible, to be sure! As well,
the one keeping honest on the
inside will never want to be untrue to his own self,
either. As the saying goes, "To thine own self be true." Show me the
man who is honest with himself, and I will show you the man who will
initially obey---and continue to obey---the entire Word of God. He
will not turn out any other way, and you can just take that to the
bank! A lack of self-honesty is another trick ploy of the Devil. Let
us recognize it. Let us expose it. Let us avoid it.
