Honesty is a simple word yet has a mountain of meaning and implications. Honesty is “the quality or fact of being honest, uprightness, and fairness.”[1] Throughout history, honest people have been admired and impacted those around them. Who in your life has influenced you by their honesty?
While honesty is God’s desire for each of us, we have an enemy who continually lies and deceives to destroy us. Jesus identifies him as satan, the devil and the father of lies. Dishonesty is in opposition to the character and identity of God because it distorts and twists the truth. In life, honesty builds up people and society, while being dishonest tears them down.
Joseph’s Brothers Were Honest
As you study the life of Joseph, his family has many shortcomings, but as they have matured in faith, we find them to be examples of honesty. The brothers purchased grain from Joseph, but returning home, they found their payment in their grain bags. What will they do?
Genesis 43: 19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food. 21 But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was at the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 22 We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”[2]
Living an Honest Life
Making up our minds to live an open and honest life is the foundation for experiencing the fullness of God’s plan for our life. The Lord does not seek to empower fake people but pursues who we are. 1 Peter 3:10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. [3]
My grandfather would say, “Nothing comes from being dishonest.” Life is not about trying to appear to be something we are not. The abundant, faithful life comes with our relationship with God, and He meets us where we are. Honesty is about the heart, and our hearts are an open book to the Lord. Are you struggling with honesty? Cry out to the Lord to transform you because the Lord is about changing us into the person he wants you to be. As honest people, we can be a living testimony of who Jesus is.
To learn more about honesty, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/brothers-grow-in-faith
[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/honesty
[2-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.