The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22
He was a friend and a respected member of the community. We served in public office together and I enjoyed serving with him. But then one day, he told me a story about a recent family cruise. It seems that there was a costume party on board and prior to leaving they purchased costumes for the whole family.
They enjoyed the costume party and when they returned, they put all the costumes in the box they came in, made some excuse and returned them for a full refund. He was proud of how much it cost him….. nothing to have the costumes for the party.
Well, then my whole attitude about him changed. There are few things in the world more important than honesty and integrity. If he would steal from the costume company, then he would steal from me.
Honesty means being truthful and transparent in one’s actions and words, while integrity is adhering to a strong moral code and principles.
Together, they create the foundation for trust and mutual respect in relationships. When people are honest and have integrity, they are dependable and reliable. Either you have them, or you don’t.
My father used to say that his word was his bond. What he said he would do, he did. The Bible is replete with verses about honesty, because honesty is integral to developing a deep relationship with God.
Second Timothy 2:15 admonishes us to do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Proverbs speaks volumes about honesty. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
Honesty is marked as being free from deceit or untruthfulness, being sincere. The Christian life should be one marked with integrity and honesty, yet because we all sin and find it easy to do so, honesty is something we must work hard at! An honest life is important on so many levels from relationships with spouses and children, at our workplace, and interacting with our neighbors.
Be careful to not lose your honesty with the little things, for it will infest you with the big things as well.
by John Grant
used be permission
John Grant is an Attorney and Retired Florida State Senator