Dishonesty

Originally by Jim Sasser

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2001051

Subject: honesty

Preached Originally: 09/09/01 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    Don't believe that anyone of us would knowingly want to participate in anything this is dishonest.

1.     Neither do I believe that we would knowingly sanction anyone else in dishonesty.

2.     But it is important that we realize just what will constitute an act of dishonesty.

3.     Most of us would seem to think that dishonesty is composed of lying, cheating and stealing, done by the vilest of men.

B.    Note the definitions of dishonesty:

1.     From the Greek:  Shame, Disgrace, Cause of shame, Dishonorable conduct.

2.     From the Hebrew:  Blushing, Shame, Bareness, Nakedness.

C.    From Webster: 

1.     Characterized by fraud; knavish, fraudulent. 

2.     Lacking honesty or integrity, Not trustworthy.

3.     Note some synonyms:  Dishonest, Deceitful, Mendacious, Lying, Untruthful, Mean, Unworthy of trust or belief.

 

I. Christians are to be honorable people.

A.    Rom. 12:17

B.    2 Cor. 8:21; 13:7

C.    Phil. 4:8

D.    Heb. 13:18.

 

II.  We Can be Dishonest with:

  1. God
    1. Can’t lie to God – Heb. 4:12-13; Eccl. 12:13-14
  2. Our Fellowman

1.     Can cover up for awhile – but actions usually will find us out.

  1. Ourselves
    1. Some have to hit rock bottom before they will finally admit to themselves there is a problem.
    2. Prodigal Son – Lk. 15:17
  2. These three usually are inseparable.  Matt. 22:37-40.

 

III.  The Non-Christian can be dishonest when:

A.    He hears the word of God and the plan of salvation and then refuses to obey it.

    1. One can be considered honest and sincere until he knows better.  Saul of Tarsus.

a)  But, if after being taught, he still refuses…..

    1. First he is dishonest with GOD, by failing to obey His commands.
    2. He is dishonest with his FELLOWMAN, because by doing the Lord's will, he could lead others to do the same.
    3. He is dishonest with HIMSELF, because he must put forth effort to save his own soul; when he does not, he is deceiving himself into believing he can be saved without it.  Jas. 2:21-25; Gal. 6:7,8.

 

IV. Christians can be dishonest when:

  1. They know how to live as a Christian should but do not do it.  Jas. 4:17.

1.     Failure to assemble with the saints as commanded without a Scriptural reason for his absence. 

    1. When he does this:

a)    He is dishonest with GOD, for he is told to not to forsake assembling of ourselves together.  Heb. 10:25.

b)    He is dishonest with his FELLOWMAN, for he is to exhort, and admonish others, and to be strength fro the weak and influence for all.  ---"Let your light so shine among men, that they will glorify God by seeing your good works." Matt. 5:13-16. Heb. 10:19-24.

c)    He is dishonest with HIMSELF, for he is actually the big loser when he tries to deceive himself into thinking he can get by without assembling.

1)    The same man gets up early every morning and goes to work 5 or 6 days a week,  but doesn't seem to be able to get to Bible Study by 10:00.

    1. When he dresses, talks, has habits, and does things that are unbecoming to a Christian: knowing it is wrong:

a)    He is dishonest with GOD, for God told him how to conduct himself as a Christian.

1)    2 Pet. 1:3-11; Gal. 5:13-25; 1 Pet. 4:12-16.

b)    He is dishonest with his FELLOWMAN, for he might cause them to stumble for whom Christ died; also he will bring reproach upon the church.

c)    He is dishonest with HIMSELF, for he is condemning his soul to  hell fire.

    1. A Christian that does not obey the great commission as found in Matt. 28:19,20, is dishonest:

a)    He is dishonest with GOD, for God has said for all Christians to carry the good news to the lost and dying world.

b)    He is dishonest with his FELLOWMAN, because they are the ones that need to be taught the gospel.  Psa. 142:4; Ezk. 3:17-21.

c)    He is dishonest with HIMSELF, because their blood will be required at his hand. Acts. 20:17-21,26,27.

    1. A Christian that does not worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, is dishonest:  Jno. 4:23,24.

a)    He is dishonest with GOD, because God seeks that type of worshipper to worship Him.

b)    He is dishonest with his FELLOWMAN, because he disturbs their worship, and certainly does not set a good example for them to follow.  1 Tim. 3:15; 4:12.

1)    How do you behave during services?

c)    He is dishonest with HIMSELF, because "he that thinketh he standeth; let him take heed lest he fall."  1 Cor. 10:12.

1)    Just sitting in the pew on Sunday morning will no more make one a Christian, than sitting in the henhouse all night will make one a chicken.

 

Conclusion:

A.    Whether you are an alien sinner of a child of God, are you being honest with God, your Fellowman, and Yourself?

  1. If not, today is the day to begin to be honest in all things and toward all men.
  2. Tomorrow might never come, today is the day of salvation.
  3. So, when you hear His voice, harden not your heart and thereby be dishonest.
  4. Why not be honest with God, your Fellowman, and Yourself by obeying the Lord     today?

F.  I N V I T A T I O N