5 December Deuteronomy 25

Being Honest

Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (AMP) “You shall not have in your bag inaccurate weights, a heavy and a light [so you can cheat others]. You shall not have in your house inaccurate measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect (full) and just weight, and a perfect and just measure, so that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. For everyone who does such things, everyone who acts unjustly [without personal integrity] is utterly repulsive to the Lord your God”.

Honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way. Honesty is truthfulness. An honest person has the habit of making accurate, trustworthy statements about life, self, others and God. An honest person represents himself just as he is and tells others the truth about themselves.

God requires us, as His children, to be honest in all our dealings, whether in public or in private. The Scriptures demand that believers walk uprightly, work righteously, and speak truth in their hearts. Psalm 15:1-5 (ERV) “Lord, who can live in your Holy Tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? Only those who live pure lives, do what is right, and speak the truth from their hearts. Such people don’t say bad things about others. They don’t do things to hurt their neighbours. They don’t tell shameful things about those close to them. They hate those who fail to please God and honour those who respect the Lord. If they make a promise to their neighbour, they do what they promised. If they loan money to someone, they do not charge them interest. And they refuse to testify against an innocent person, even if someone offers them money to do it. Whoever lives like this will always stand strong”.

When we are honest, we build strength of character that will allow us to be of excellent service to God and others. We are blessed with peace of mind and self-respect and will be trusted by the Lord and others.

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skilfully teaching the word of truth”. This is confirmed in Ephesians 4:25 (AMP) “Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumours, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbour, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]”. Finally in Colossians 3:9 (AMP) “Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices”.

In conclusion, honesty is a virtue and a divine mandate for those who seek to walk with God and live according to His Word. It reflects the character of God, who is truth and calls us to embody integrity in every aspect of life. The Scriptures show that honesty builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures we stand firm in righteousness.

By being truthful in our words and actions, we honour God and create a foundation for His blessings. Let us strive to uphold truth, reject deceit, and live with a clear conscience, knowing that such a life is pleasing to the Lord and a powerful testimony to the world.

May we work diligently to be approved by God, accurately handling His truth and living it out daily. Let us choose honesty, for in it, we reflect the glory and righteousness of our Creator.