HONESTY STILL PAYS

MEMORY VERSE: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

BIBLE READING: Number 24-26

Noah Webster Dictionary 1828 edition defines honesty as “an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions. In fact, upright conduct: an actual conformity to justice and moral rectitude.” If you look around today, you will observe dishonesty being celebrated and encouraged; meanwhile, honesty is frowned upon. Actually, honesty is not rewarded in some organisations. In such organisations, you will be bullied, mistreated, denied promotion, and ultimately sacked if you are honest. Today, a dishonest man is seen as a sharp man or a fast man. To celebrate dishonesty, we even categorise lies; viz., white lies, black lies, etc. The Lord’s definition of a lie has not changed, neither has His attitude towards lying changed.

Aside the obvious fact that God abhors dishonesty, honesty pays. Firstly, honesty brings peace. Proverbs 28:1 says: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Knowing that you have no skeleton in your cupboard brings peace. Lying about your age to your fiance will not bring you peace. Also, not coming out clean to your fiancee will not bring you peace, either. Secondly, honesty breeds an atmosphere of trust. People will trust you with things if you are honest. Thirdly, honesty brings influence. You cannot exercise influence when you dishonest. Fourthly, honesty brings authority. Fifthly, honesty commands respect. Most importantly, God personally rewards honesty. Several years ago, a Christian brother was sent on an errand to another part of town with a token for his transport fare. When he returned, he gave his boss what was left of the transport fare. The boss was shocked! None of his staff had ever done that. The brother’s colleague called him a stupid boy. Months later, the boss set up a branch in another part of the country. He needed someone trustworthy to manage the new branch. One day, whilst thinking of what to do he suddenly remembered the honest brother and offered him the job as the branch manager.

NOTE: Honesty will bring you in favour with God and man. It will unlock doors for you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

HONESTY STILL PAYS

MEMORY VERSE: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

BIBLE READING: Number 24-26

Noah Webster Dictionary 1828 edition defines honesty as “an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions. In fact, upright conduct: an actual conformity to justice and moral rectitude.” If you look around today, you will observe dishonesty being celebrated and encouraged; meanwhile, honesty is frowned upon. Actually, honesty is not rewarded in some organisations. In such organisations, you will be bullied, mistreated, denied promotion, and ultimately sacked if you are honest. Today, a dishonest man is seen as a sharp man or a fast man. To celebrate dishonesty, we even categorise lies; viz., white lies, black lies, etc. The Lord’s definition of a lie has not changed, neither has His attitude towards lying changed.

Aside the obvious fact that God abhors dishonesty, honesty pays. Firstly, honesty brings peace. Proverbs 28:1 says: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Knowing that you have no skeleton in your cupboard brings peace. Lying about your age to your fiance will not bring you peace. Also, not coming out clean to your fiancee will not bring you peace, either. Secondly, honesty breeds an atmosphere of trust. People will trust you with things if you are honest. Thirdly, honesty brings influence. You cannot exercise influence when you dishonest. Fourthly, honesty brings authority. Fifthly, honesty commands respect. Most importantly, God personally rewards honesty. Several years ago, a Christian brother was sent on an errand to another part of town with a token for his transport fare. When he returned, he gave his boss what was left of the transport fare. The boss was shocked! None of his staff had ever done that. The brother’s colleague called him a stupid boy. Months later, the boss set up a branch in another part of the country. He needed someone trustworthy to manage the new branch. One day, whilst thinking of what to do he suddenly remembered the honest brother and offered him the job as the branch manager.

NOTE: Honesty will bring you in favour with God and man. It will unlock doors for you.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE NEED FOR HONESTY

MEMORY VERSE: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free, John 8:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 5, Ps 88, Isa 33, Rev 3

BIBLE STUDIES: John 4:4-43.

Today the world has broken lies into several categories; there are white lies; broken promises; fabrication; bold-faced lie; exaggeration; deception, plagiarism; compulsive lying e.t.c. A lie is a lie regardless of what category it falls under. God does not condone dishonesty, and those who tell lies he disapproves of. Why is lying so serious? First of all, anyone who tells a lie no matter how small is the child of the devil. According to John 8:44, the father of all lies is Lucifer or the devil. Not only that, a liar is a wicked fellow, Psalm 58:3. Parents please do not turn your children to wicked children by encouraging them to lie. Don’t ask them to tell visitors that you are not home when you are actually at home.

In our bible studies is a story we all know. Jesus was by a well resting; a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well. During the course of conversation with her, Jesus told her to bring her husband. This woman has had five husbands in the past and the man she was currently living with was just a boyfriend not her husband. Jesus knew all about her past but decided to check if she was the honest type or not. She came out clean and told Jesus, she had no husband. Because of her honesty, she became the first Samaritan to receive Jesus. Not only that, she became a great 
evangelist for Jesus because through her almost everyone in Samaria received Jesus.

Honesty opens doors. No one wants to associate with a dishonest person. Because the Samaritan woman was honest with Jesus, the door of salvation that had been locked to the Samaritans was opened. Honesty sets a man free. John 8:32 says ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Honesty sets a man free but dishonesty puts him in bondage. Once you tell a lie, you will need another lie to cover the first lie. Not only that you will always need another lie to cover the previous lies and before you know it, you become a serial liar. Psalm 16:11 says in the presence of God is fullness of Joy. A dishonest fellow will never experience fullness of joy because Psalm 101:7 says those who tell lies shall not tarry in the presence of God. Dishonesty is sign of immaturity in the Lord. A mature Christian will rather tell the truth and let the devil be ashamed.

PRAYER POINT: Father I repent of all dishonesty today. Please give me the grace to be honest at all times.