Honesty is not merely a social virtue but a reflection of one’s character and relationship with God. It is one of the marks of a true follower of Christ. As the apostle Paul said, those who have been raised to new life with Christ must “put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you… get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language… don’t lie to each other…put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him” (Colossians 3:5-10). Christians are expected to embody honesty in their daily lives, reinforcing the idea that integrity is integral to their faith (Proverbs 12:22).
This is challenging as the practices of dishonesty in today’s society are subtle. Everyone does it. It is for survival. We justify using harmless, white lies to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. We stretch the truth. We keep silent about the truth. We exaggerate. We gossip. We give more credit to ourselves at the expense of our colleagues. Our actions pale in comparison to our words.
Although dishonesty might be the norm, Christians can safeguard ourselves from dishonesty. How?
- Draw close to God. The Word of God provides us with timeless wisdom and guidance on how to live a life of righteousness and honesty (James 1:22).
- Strive to please God and not people (1 Thessalonians 2:4-10). Prioritize honesty as a core value in our interactions with others.
- Practice self-awareness. Identify the underlying motivations behind our dishonesty and ask God to change us (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Practice honesty in all aspects of our lives (Romans 12:2, 13:6-7, Colossians 3:23-25). Let your actions speaks louder than your words.
- Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:29). Ask God to give you wisdom and grace and commit to prayers.
- Develop strong communication skills to help navigate difficult situations without resorting to dishonesty (James 3:8-10).
- Be humble. When you have wronged someone, confess your sins and pray for each other (James 5:16).
- Find a small group. Surround yourself with a community of like-minded believers who encourage and hold each other accountable (Proverbs 27:17).
Safeguarding ourselves from dishonesty requires a conscious effort to align our thoughts, words, and actions with God’s truth. By seeking His guidance through prayer, studying His Word, and cultivating authentic relationships with fellow believers, we can strive to walk in integrity and uphold the Christian character that is pleasing to God.