The Value of Honesty

Keys to a Successful Life
The Value of Honesty

I. Introduction

II. Why Are People So Dishonest?

A. Dishonesty is in our .

B. Dishonesty is in our .

1. “At the of humanity there’s .”

2. Jeremiah 17:9 (NAS) “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”

C. Dishonesty is part of our .

1. John 8:44 (NAS) “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

2. Do we follow the , or do we follow the ?

3. Proverbs 12:22 (NAS) Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

4. Proverbs 6:16-19 (NAS) ¹⁶There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, ¹⁹a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

III. Steps Toward Becoming an Honest Person

A. Take an honest of your .

1. “ am I being dishonest?”

2. “ am I being dishonest?”

a. or

b.

c.

d.

e.

3. “ am I being dishonest?”

B. Make an honest evaluation of the and of being dishonest.

1. We lose when we’re dishonest.

a. “Character is who I am in the dark.” (D.L. Moody)

b. Proverbs 20:7 (NAS) A righteous man who walks in his integrity— how blessed are his sons after him.

2. We lose when we’re dishonest.

a. Ephesians 4:15 (NAS) But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

3. We lose when we’re dishonest.

a. Proverbs 10:9 (NAS) He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

C. Love and pursue a deep with Him.

1. Psalm 51:6a (NAS) Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being.

D. honesty

IV. God Rewards Honesty

A. By me

1. Proverbs 2:7 (NLT) He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.

B. By me

1. Proverbs 11:5a (NLT) The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

C. By me

1. Proverbs 12:19 (NAS)
Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.

V. Conclusion