“Being honest may not get you a lot of friends but it’ll always get you the right ones.” -John Lennon
2 Timothy 2:15- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Ephesians 4:25- Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Luke 6:31- Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Proverbs 11:3- The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Matthew 5:8- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Being honest is not always the easiest thing to do, but as referenced above, it is always the right thing to do. Personally, I have found that being honest typically leads to better results as well. It can sometimes be uncomfortable and lead to unforeseen obstacles, but is always the right choice in terms of future relationships and consequences. Even in cases when we lie and get away with it, there always seems to be a lingering feeling of uneasiness regarding the dishonest act. Perhaps this is the feeling of shame which is referenced in 2 Timothy. We can avoid such feelings by doing our best to be honest and to do on to others as we would have them do onto us. After all, we are all members of one body and are encouraged to maintain integrity. Today you can maintain integrity. Today you can treat others as you would have them treat you. Today you can be honest!
(Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash)