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Honesty is a word that we are all familiar with. Most of us have been taught to be honest most of our lives. You know, to be fair in our dealings with others. Obey the law. Pay our taxes. Tell the truth, etc. Jesus makes honesty an essential part of being a Christian, Luke 8:15. Combined with a good heart, an honest heart will respond to the word of God bringing forth fruit. Not often mentioned but of vital importance is the fact that while we must be honest with others if we are to see heaven, it is just as necessary, if we really want to go to heaven, to be honest with ourselves. We can be dishonest with ourselves in many ways. All it takes is a willingness on our part to ignore the truth when accepting a lie suits us better. Why would anyone do such a thing, you may ask? The reasons are almost endless. They include money, sex, power, fame, respect, pleasure to name a few. Generally, our honesty comes into question whenever we are faced with an option of doing the wrong thing in order to achieve an advantage(real or imagined) or to avoid pain(physical or emotional). Being honest with ourselves is not as easy as it may seem. It really takes a lot of character. While we can be dishonest with ourselves in ways great and small, two examples illustrate the severity of this type of behavior. One is drug addiction. Addicts continue to use drugs knowing that it can ruin relationships, lives and even bring death, all the while telling themselves they can control it. |
However, the most costly form of self dishonesty takes place when we tell ourselves we are ok in the sight of God. Consider, God has given us the Bible that we may know the truth and the truth can set us free, John 8:32. God also wrote the Bible to convince us that Jesus is His Son and that we might have life through His name, John 20:30-31. God tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God that we may not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Tim 2:15. When we tell ourselves we are all right with God and ignore the truth, we deny ourselves eternal life and commit our own soul to everlasting separation from the presence of God, 2 Thess 1:9, and to suffering that will never end, Mark 9. In every respect we must be honest with ourselves if we are to enjoy the benefits that truth has to offer. While this is important in the here and now, this principal will determine our eternal destiny. Have you studied your Bible? Are you able to properly understand God’s will? Do you really know how God forgives sin? Do you know the manner of life God expects of His people? Do you really know how to avoid spending eternity in hell? Be honest, to thy own self be true. Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or email me at bryan.renita@gmail.com Check out our web page at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com |