Chapter Five: Is Honesty the Best Policy?

Have you ever been tempted to lie? Donald told his mother that he had cleaned his room. But really, he did not clean it. He had just thrown everything under the bed.

Parents and other adults usually see through such clear intentions. Yet that does not stop many youths to spread lie, false story, or complete cheat. For one thing, parents do not always react coolly to troubles. And when you supposed to be at home on time, it seem as you tempt to say you forget or not bring your watch with you rather than telling your parents the truth.

The school wants students to be honest. The students often feel burden on their homework. The cruel competition is still there. Why does it shows the students cheat or have cheated on their test? Because of they are selfish and want to pass the test. This shows how dishonest they are!

Why Lie Exists?

Do you believe that speaking lie help you escape from embarrassing punishment? Read what Proverbs 19:5 say. The risk is that lie will be exposed and a punishment measured out anyway. Your parents will not be angry if you tell them the truth.

What about cheating in school? A director of campus judicial programs says, "Any student committing cheating on test will risk to harm future education and job opportunities." 

True, many get away with it. Cheating may very well get you pass the test, but what if your teacher find out?

How about if you like math or reading? If you like math, are you exciting about collecting the money and count what left you have? Or, if you like reading, are you happy to visit to the library and borrow a book? If yes, develop your basic academic skills. So that you may find yourself "not sinking" in the job market! The Bible explains 'keep your tongue honesty.' Rather than speaking lie, study and get ready for test in school. So that you will not cheat it.-Proverbs 21:5, 6

Your Conscience Bothers You When Speaking Lie

Michelle broke a cherished knickknack of her brother. And Michelle lied to her parents about that she said she didn't break it. Later, she felt forced to confess her lie to them. Michelle felt really bad most of the time. Her parents had put trust in her, and she let them down. Her conscience tormented her with guilt feelings.

After ignoring your conscience, the more you practice dishonesty, the more you becomes insensitive to the wrong 'with a hot iron.' (1 Timothy 4:2) Do you really want to have a deadened conscience?

God Views on Lie

Proverbs 6:16, 17 says, These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
John 8:44 says, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
And the Bible makes clearly that no lie is the truth and the truth is not lie.-1 John 2:21

If anyone want to be God's friend, then honesty must be the best policy and require to speak the truth. So here is the best scripture for everyone to tell the truth. It is at Psalms 15:1-5. The two questions are at verse one, LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Let consider the answer in the next four verses:

Verse Two: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his hand.
As a friend of God, speak honestly. You won't be a shoplifter or a cheater or a false accuser. 

Verse Three: He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
If you are a friend of God, refuse to participate in the group of people who speak lie, cruelty, and talk bad about someone else.

Verse Four: In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Don't friend with anyone who speak lie, cheat, or talk bad. Find friends who respect and honest.

You promise to keep the command of your parents by doing the house work, will you tell your friends that you can't go to a ball game on Saturday afternoon?

Verse Five: He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
The students who cheat on tests are greedy for grades they have not studied for. And the faked businessmen scams the poor people for profit.

If you are still a liar, you will face the judgment of the Lord. But as a friend of God, you will never be made to fail the truth. 

Be a Honest Person and Develop Your Conscience

Is there a good reason for avoiding speaking lie? The apostle Paul said, ...we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. (Hebrews 13:18) If your conscience bothers you to speak lie, pray God and keep studying his Word the Bible.

Speaking the truth is hard. But you makes a decision to tell the truth will maintain a good conscience, a good relationship with your real friends, and best of all, the benefit of being a dweller in the tent of God. Honesty, thus, is the best policy for all Christians.