Honesty

In his book, “Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?” John Powell gives a clear, easy to understand answer: “You may not like me.” We might also add, “Or what I do.”

Most of us want to be “liked.” And most of us will do whatever it takes to create an image - no matter what it takes - to get others to like us. Even if we have to be dishonest, or to be a little blunter, lie, to get others to like us.

Deceit comes from being human. We do our very best to hide who we really are for fear of being “found out.” We cover ourselves with clothes that hide our real shape. We color our hair to hide the grey that comes with age. We “plaster” our faces with make-up to fill in the “lines.” We use clever words to deceive others about our actions and feelings. We refuse to look into the eyes of someone if we are less than honest. Actually, the list could go on for pages.

Those of us who know God know that honesty is important to Him. He knows who we are and knows that honesty is a problem that originates in our hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” asked the prophet Jeremiah. It was an important question then, is now, and always will be.

And the answer then and now remains the same: Honesty has no middle ground. One is either honest or dishonest. Only God knows us perfectly and what can be found in the depths of our hearts. We may deceive ourselves and others, but not God. Self-righteousness comes from self-deception. So, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

As a child, I often sang, “He sees all you do and He hears all you say? My God is writing all the time.” When God makes a note about your honesty, what will it be?

Prayer: Please, Father, help us to be honest, first by not deceiving ourselves. We know You know us and our motives. May we have the desire and courage to be honest at all times. Amen!

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.