They Call It Dishonesty!

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie:
A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. -Herbert

A survey of 29,760 students in USA high schools revealed the following about stealing...

a. 30% admitted stealing from a store within the past year
b. 23% said they stole something from a parent or relative
c. 20% confessed they stole something from a friend -- Josephson Institute's 2008 Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth.

In the same survey addressed the subject of lying...

a. 42% said they sometimes lie to save money
b. 83% confessed they lied to a parent about something significant -- ibid.

Again, the survey revealed the following about cheating...

a. 64% cheated on a test during the past year
b. 38% cheated two or more times -- ibid.

Amazingly, these same students have a high self-image when it comes to ethics...

a. 93% said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character
b. 77% said that when it comes to doing what is right, they are better than most people they know -- ibid.

Such dishonesty is a problem confronting our society, and certainly not just young people (e.g., elected officials, employers and employees,etc.) and likely affects many Christians as well. So let's consider the problem with dishonesty.

In general, dishonesty is condemned by God's Word (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 6:17-19; 11:1; 12:22; Revelation 21:8)). Common wisdom tells us that "honesty is the best policy." While we're at it, here are some words on the subject by some pretty famous people:

a. False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil - Socrates
b. The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousand fold - Aristotle
c. Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom - Thomas Jefferson
d. No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar - Abraham Lincoln

Dishonesty, in particular, destroys reputation. Once you are caught lying, stealing, or cheating, you will rarely be trusted again. Even if you do it for someone, with someone - you prove yourself untrustworthy. There's a Russian proverb that says, "With lies you may get ahead in the world, but you can never go back." -

Dishonesty also demolishes families, friendships, etc. After all, relationships depend on trusting one another. Ann Landers once said, "If you marry a man who cheats on his wife, you'll be married to a man who cheats on his wife." Even if we lie for one another, we are undermining that trust.

Dishonesty disrupts workplaces. Some believe that lying, cheating, stealing is necessary to conduct business. If I am willing to lie for you, how do you know I won't lie to you (the same for cheating and stealing)?

The problem of dishonesty in the form of lying, cheating, and stealing is really self-evident. Only those blinded by pride and greed can deny the harmful effects of dishonesty. In God's Word we find the solution for dishonesty...

First, put away lying, stealing, etc. We are to "put on the new man...in true holiness and righteousness" (Ephesians 4:24). This involves "putting away lying" (Ephesians 4:25; cf. Colossians 3:9), and includes no longer stealing, pilfering, etc. (Ephesians 4:28; Titus 2:10).

Secondly, speak the truth. The Bible says,"let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor" (Ephesians 4:25) and, "let your 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no,' 'no,'..." (Matthew 5:37).

Third, love all men. After all, one does not lie, steal, or cheat those they love. We are to love one another (Romans 13:8). And, we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-45).

Fourth, pursue what is good. Both for ourselves and for all (1 Thessalonians 5:15). And, for whatever we want others to do to us (Matthew 7:12).

Finally, how much better, and more pleasant, would life be if everyone lived honest lives, without lying, stealing, and cheating. How different it would be if everyone followed the principles taught by Jesus and His apostles!

Without a doubt, the same could be said concerning all the moral issues we have examined. In summary, they are:

a. The truth for moral issues is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:21)
b. For Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).
b. Those who walk as children of light bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, truth (Ephesians 5:8-9)

Let's follow Jesus, and we will have the light of life and truth, guiding us through the maze of moral issues that confront us daily!

Prayer:

Gracious Father, try me again by the courage I have today, if you are judging me by the fear I held yesterday. Help me to see that wavering is misleading and temperament is deceptive. May I learn self-control. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Kaycee