Living a Life of Honor
Introduction:
Romans 12:17
– our character must demonstrate personal integrity & honesty.
Christians have been sanctified and set apart by God. We have been redeemed for
a noble purpose – to glorify God & bring light to a dark world. Christians
have been challenged to practice and maintain the highest ethics. Ethics are
simple matters of right & wrong. It’s only the practice of ethics that is
difficult.
I. God’s
expectations and standard.
A.
Isa. 33:13, 15-16; 2 Cor. 8:21; 13:7 – do no wrong…(but) do what is right.)
B.
Heb. 13:18; Phil. 4:8; 1 Pet. 2:12
II. Recognize
self deception can be the greatest hazard we face.
A.
Most commonly associate dishonesty with relationships w/fellow man.
1.
Note the definitions associated with dishonesty:
a)
Greek: shame; disgrace; cause of shame; dishonorable conduct.
b)
Hebrew: blushing; shame; bareness; nakedness
c)
Webster: not trustworthy; fraudulent; lacking honesty & integrity.
2.
We must not lie to others – Colossians 3:9; Eph. 4:29.
B.
We cannot hide dishonesty from God. Eccl. 12:13-14; Heb. 4:12-13.
1.
These scriptures speak for themselves. But consider another:
2.
Rev. 20:11-14 – there will be a day of reckoning.
C.
The greatest thing we need to be aware of is our propensity to not be
honest with ourselves.
1.
Luke 15:13-17 – prodigal son. Self deception was what started him
down a terrible & dark road. (15:13) wonder if father tried to reason with
him…
2.
Lk. 15:17 – he came to himself. Reality sat in. Wording expressive here.
D.
David – 2 Sam. 11 – where did self deception take him?
1.
2 Sam. 11:1-4 – sin with Bathsheba. It won’t happen to me…
a)
11:27 – the thing the Lord
had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.
2.
David had to learn a lesson. Trying to make it go away – hiding the sin – is NOT the
answer! Psa. 32:3-4.
3.
2 Sam. 12 – finally confronted by Nathan. When confronted what did he do?
E.
What’s the lesson? We must
be aware of the hazard of self deception because it can take us down a dark,
treacherous, and lonely road.
III. There are
great harms associated with dishonest living.
A.
Dishonesty will destroy us! It always catches up with us! Pro. 19:5, 9; 21:28
B.
Prov. 12:13 – think of the embarrassment; loss of reputation;
loss of honor & dignity.
C.
Eph. 4:22 – dishonesty with others & self corrupts us.
1.
Deceit will prohibit our entering into heaven. Rev. 21:8; 27; 22:15
Conclusion:
A.
Psalm 15:1-2
1.
There are no good people who cannot pass the exam of honor &
integrity.
2.
We would do well to work on our honesty with ourselves and each other.
B.
Where do you stand before God today?