(Christian Living Sermon) Hillside 12/96
Filename: Honesty

THE VALUE OF HONESTY

INTRODUCTION-- Text: Luke 8:15 "And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience."

1. Honesty is an almost forgotten virtue in Today's world.
   
   1. John Leo, editorial writer for the U.S. News and World Report, comments that "casual lying" has become so commonplace that no one can tell when the truth is being spoken.
      
      1. He cites the case of Jay Leno, who, in order to make the sales of his new book more lucrative ($$$$$$), bought the right to use an anecdote of an incident that happened to a fellow comedian for $1000, and added it to his book as if it happened to himself.
         
      2. Truth for Jay Leno is apparently unimportant, and the gullible public deserves to be hoodwinked.
         
   2. Politicians are particularly adept at this sort of thing, shouting about successes that have no substance, in order to win votes.
      
2. The Greek word for "honest" in our text is kalov {kal-os'}, used 102 times in the NT, and bears definitions that vary, according to Strong, such as.....

   1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing,
   

   precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable
   

   1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
   

   1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and
   

   therefore well adapted to its ends
   

   1b1) genuine, approved
   

   1b2) precious
   

   1b3) joined to names of men designated by their office,
   

   competent, able, such as one ought to be
   

   1b4) praiseworthy, noble
   

   1c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence
   

   praiseworthy
   

   1c1) morally good, noble
   

   1d) honourable, conferring honour
   

   1e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming

3. All these definitions are good, and have moral and practical value.

LESSON--

1. The Bible contains examples of the importance of being honest.
   
   1. Joseph's brothers struggled to prove that they were honest, when they were charged as spies. Genesis 42
      
   2. The Apostle Paul knew the value of "doing things honorable in the sight of all men." 2 Corinthians 8:16-21 "But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
      
   3. Paul also commanded this sort of conduct in those he taught.
      
      1. Romans 12:17 "Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men."
         
      2. 2 Corinthians 13:7 "Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate."
         
      3. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
         
   4. The Apostle Peter shows the reason for being honest. 1 Peter 2:12 "Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
      
2. The stewardship we have in showing the world the profit in honesty may not be as effective as we might hope, because of all the dishonesty in the world, but they are extremely effective in commending us to God, the ultimate source of justice.
   
   1. The patient sufferer, Job, made this appeal: Job 31:2-6 "For what is the portion from God above, And the heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity? Doth not he see my ways, And number all my steps? If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot hath hasted to deceit (Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know mine integrity);"
      
   2. We must always look over the shoulder, and be aware that God observes whether we are honest or not. Colossians 3:22-4:1 "Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." (Compare Ecclesiastes 5:8, "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.")

APPLICATION-- When tasks in the work of the Lord require honest men, they are chosen by the standard of the Lord.

1. The servants of the early church had to have such credentials. Acts 6:1-3 "Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."
   
2. Elders are to be chosen for their "good report," also. 1 Timothy 3:7 "Moreover he must have good (kalos, honorable, honest) testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
   
3. If we follow honesty in all things, we will have a clear conscience.
   
   1. Paul maintained it, always. Acts 24:16 "Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always."
      
   2. This rule he applies to us. Philippians 4:9 "The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you."