Are YOU An Honest Person?

The word honest means nothing more than being in a state of uprightness. One would think this would be a very easy position to achieve and hold on to through life. But is it? In order to be an honest person, you have to be honest with yourself.

 

Being honest is a necessity for the Christian person. It is a means of testimony. Peter said to some Jewish Christians that they must abstain from fleshly lusts so that their conducts would be honorable among the Gentiles. If they were talked about as being evil doers, their good works would speak louder and their accusers would glorify God (1Pet. 2:11-12). Just remember that people are paying attention to our actions. Paul, speaking to the church in Corinth, told them that their being honest was obligatory since they were Christians (2 Cor. 13:7). We have been sanctified, therefore our conducts must reflect the change. Others will see the difference, maybe not at first, but they will see that there is something very different about you and that it is good.

Being honest is the sign of a righteous person. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper (Ps. 1:1-3).

Not only is honesty or being honest a necessity, there are blessings to be received by having such conduct. One such blessing is that it makes the honest person acceptable with God. Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart... (Ps. 15:1-2).

Here is a list of honest people that you can be numbered with if you so desire to be honorable among men. Samuel had no fault found in him when he was about to confirm Saul as Israel's first king (1 Samuel 12:1-5). Zacchaeus was considered to be honest when he said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold (Luke 19:8). What about the apostle Paul? Did he not admit to being a persecutor of Jews? After he because a disciple for Jesus, he showed his honorable intentions by speaking the name of Jesus boldly, which gained him honor about the Jewish Christians and the Gentiles.

These are but a few of the honorable men we find in the holy scriptures. There are women that could mentioned as well, but you get the point. God can and does use individuals in His service that are both honest and honorable. Are you one of these people? God is looking for a few good men and women to help spread the gospel. Can he count on you to help fill his church? If so, be honest with those you come in contact with as you share this very important message. Honesty still is the best policy!

In Christian love,