Dishonesty

Have you ever been dishonest to anyone? If you say you have not, then you are being dishonest now. Remember the time you told your parents you are studying, but you were actually chatting with friends… Or remember the time you were hanging out with friends and when mom called, you told her you are at the library… We have all been dishonest… countless times… even a few minutes back… If we were Pinocchio, can’t imagine how long our nose would have grown by now!!!

Let us see what the treasure book says about dishonesty.

OPENING THE TREASURE BOOK

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 12:22

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 11:1

God hates dishonesty, rather it is an abomination in his eyes. Be it lying to others or being dishonest in your work / activities – God detests them all, it disgusts Him. God speaks only the truth and is very righteous & just in all his doings. In fact, He delights in people who are truthful and just. Don’t we feel good when our parents tell us they are proud of us? Wouldn’t it be even better to hear from God “You are my delight!!! “. Imagine His eyes brightening up and glowing with happiness when He thinks about us. So next time when the thought of dishonesty creeps in, ask yourself – Do I want my actions to be disgusting before Him?

God detests dishonesty and lying lips, but being truthful and just are a delight to Him.

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

John 8:44

The devil is a liar and the father of all lies. He is the source of all lies, dishonesty, deception and wickedness. These behavioral traits comes from him. If we are more inclined to these traits, then we are under the fatherhood of devil. We should do a serious self check and see what we are practicing and whom we are inclined to.

God is truth and love. Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth and the life. His words are all true and if we practice truthfulness and honesty we are His true children.

So devil is the source of all dishonesty and God is the source of righteousness, honesty and integrity.

Dishonesty to God

In Acts 5, we read the story of a certain man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They sold all their possession and kept a part of it for themselves. The balance they brought to the church and laid it down before the apostles and told them this is all of their possession. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? You have not lied to men but to God”. Ananias hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. Few young men carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She too lied. Peter said, “the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. 

Lying to God is very serious. It happens when Satan fills your heart with his garbage and when you are completely disconnected from God. Those who are connected to Him practices righteousness and hates lying / being dishonest. Staying connected to God and keeping His commands will help us detest lying and dishonesty like Him.

Wealth from dishonesty

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Proverbs 13:11

The word of God says that the wealth coming from dishonest ways and methods do not grow, rather they will diminish. Many people choose dishonest ways to gain wealth thinking it will make them rich. However, in reality such wealth do not last. In fact, this wealth will not help them in their need. But whoever earns through hard work, their wealth will remain and it will increase. So whatever earnings you do, do it with full integrity and honesty because only that will remain and increase. Moreover, it is the way God wants us to live.

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

Colossians 3:9-10

Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

Proverbs 4:24

We know dishonesty is not good, but still at times to save our face we might end up being dishonest – with our friends, our parents and others. The dishonesty will prove okay for a short period, however, in time it will bounce back. After all, lying and being dishonest is sin and there is punishment associated with sin. When we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Like how we remove dirty cloths and put on neat and tidy ones, we should put off / remove the “old self” with its evil desires and passion and wear the tidy and clean “new self” renewed in the knowledge of God. We were once the children of devil carrying out all his evil practices. But now after receiving Christ, our fatherhood changed – we are now children of God and our new self should practice what our father does. We should put away lying, deceitfulness and dishonesty.

Treasures uncovered

Make sure you are truthful and honest in everything you do and be a delight in God’s eyes.

Prayer:

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.

Psalm 120:2

Father, we thank you for enlightening our souls about dishonesty and it’s consequences. Help us to be away from lying lips and a perverse mouth. Help us to be honest in all our ways and be a delight in your eyes. Holy Spirit, we need your help and guidance in keeping your commands. We love you Lord Jesus, in Jesus name, Amen.

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