The Challenge to be Truthful
Introduction:
Honesty/integrity desperately needed in
today’s society. Seems society as a whole has lost its moral compass.
Truthfulness is expected behavior for the child of God! And yet, temptation to
be dishonest is often overwhelming! Must practice honesty as Christians!
I. Dishonesty takes many forms.
A.
Usually involves lying. Lying could be divided into one of
three forms.
1.
Consciously telling a falsehood. Abraham
– Gen. 12:12-13; 20:2-5; 11-12
2.
Socially justified lies…
3.
Telling ½ truths. Acts 5:1-4 – Ananias
& Sapphira were killed for this.
B.
Cheating. Statistics from www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism_stats.html
1.
80% of college students admit to cheating at
least once.
a)
90% of students believe that cheaters are
either never caught or have never been appropriately disciplined.
b)
58.3 % of high school students let someone
copy their work in 1969. 97.5% did
in 1989.
C.
Fraud/theft. This is nothing more than
covetousness.
1.
Put this away – Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:3
D.
Not working for employer as we should
– Col. 3:22
II. Dishonesty will destroy us!
A.
It always catches up to us! See Pro. 19:5, 9, 21:28
1.
Then comes the nightmare of being trapped by
our lies. Prov. 12:13.
2.
Prov. 6:12-15 – causes us to be
worthless
B.
Eph. 4:22 – it corrupts us!
C.
Prov. 6:16-17 – lying/deceit is an abomination
to God!
1.
Bible condemns all forms of dishonesty!
D.
Deceit will prohibit one’s entering into
heaven! Rev. 21:8
III. God demands His people be Truthful!
A.
Rom. 12:17 - our character must demonstrate
personal integrity & honesty!
B.
We’ve been set apart from the world!
1.
Col. 3:3, 8-11 – lay aside the old
self with its evil practices!
C.
Our word must be our bond!
1.
Heb. 13:18 – this is one way we can do
it!
2.
Jesus: Mt. 5:33-37 – He calls for
simple veracity; truth always!
D.
This means we will have to practice &
maintain the highest ethics!
1.
Questions:
1.
Do we
do right when no one is looking?
2.
Do we
seek to do our best in everything?
3.
Is our
word our bond?
Conclusion:
A.
Building a reputation built on truth;
honesty; and integrity CAN be done! Phil. 4:13
B.
Psa. 15:1-2