Hiding God’s Word – Regarding Honesty
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
The Cambridge Dictionary defines honesty as: “telling the truth or able to be trusted and not likely to steal, cheat, or lie.”[1] I suspect most of us have some difficulty adhering to that definition in our everyday lives. But there’s something we should be aware—honesty is incredibly important to God. If you doubt that, just read these verses from Proverbs:
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19, emphasis added)
The very fact that lying, dishonesty, rates a double mention in this list should be a wakeup call for us. But God has also promised that we always have the power to be truthful, whatever the circumstance. We never have to lie! Here’s His promise from 1 Corinthian 10:13 (AMP):
“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
One way God has given us to keep us honest is His Word, which remind us of who He is, who we are, and how important it is that we practice honesty before Him.
From the verses listed below, choose two or three (or more!) and memorize them so that you will always have God’s Word in your heart, reminding you the one who is Truth (John 14:6), and His desire for you to be truthful.
Psalm 101:7 – No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
Proverbs 10:9 – Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
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.
Colossians 3:9 – Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices…
Philippians 4:8-9 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
1 Peter 3:10-12 – “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [This is a quote from Psalm 34:12-16]
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