KNIGHTHOOD AND HONESTY (7 of 11)

The salesman tells me the purchase and installation of the water pump will cost about $500.00.  When the bill comes it’s $650.00.  The picture in the advertisement of a “chili burger” and what I got at the restaurant bear little resemblance.  When I mention it to the waitress, she informs me, “Sir, that’s just advertising.” 

Tell, me, does the following passage reflect the state of our society?  “The godly have been swept from the land; not one upright man remains…Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what  they desire-- they all  conspire together…[they]  practice extortion  and commit robbery;  they oppress the poor

and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.” (Mic. 7:2, 3; Ezek 22:29 – Selected) (See Jer. 5:1)

The biblical concept of honesty involves fairness and straightforwardness of conduct.  It has to do with that which is good, excellent and honorable, emanating from a noble heart.  Perhaps the one verse that best summarizes these qualities is Philippians 4:8: “…Whatever is true (concealing nothing) whatever is noble (venerable, honorable), whatever is right (equitable, innocent, just), whatever is pure (innocent, clean, modest, chaste), whatever is lovely (friendly, acceptable), whatever is admirable (well spoken of, reputable) --if anything is excellent (virtuous, excellent, valorous) or praiseworthy (commendable, laudatory)--think about such things.”

Honesty has to do with:

• Maintaining a pure heart:  The Psalmist asks, ^“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?”  And then answers his own question:  “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.”  (Psa. 24:3,4)
• Practicing integrity:  God instructed King Solomon, "If you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'  But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them.”  (1 Kin. 9:4-6)

King David prayed:  “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”  And Job cried out, “…Till I die, I will not deny my integrity.”  (Psa. 25:21; Job 27:5b)

• Living a blameless life: “The righteous man leads a blameless life…We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.”  (Pro. 20:7; 2 Cor 7:2 – Selected) Consider God’s description of Job:  “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." (Job 2:3)   (See Dan. 6:4,5; Rom 12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21; Psa. 16:1,11)
• Sustaining impeccable business practices:  Isaiah asked the question: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?  Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?”  (i.e. God)  He then answers his own question: “He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil.”   (Isa. 33:14-15)  (See Pro. 11:1; 12:22)
• Living with a clear conscience:  “We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way…I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”  (Heb 13:18; Act. 24:16)  (See Job 27:6)

PRAYER:  “Lord, grant me a heart that hungers for purity, with the resolve to live with total integrity in terms of my motives and actions.  Amen.”