Honesty…
is not the best policy.
Have you heard the old adage, “Honesty is the best policy?” I disagree. I submit that it is the ONLY policy for us as Believers. Why?
Honesty (INTEGRITY) is a component of our relationship with God. If we are dishonest with others, we cannot then come to God and expect our relationship with Him to be “hunky dory”. It just does not work that way.
This is direct, perhaps even harsh, but true nonetheless: People who are dishonest with others and think they are all right with God are living in a delusional state of mind. The two are mutually exclusive. This means that each excludes or precludes the other.
And then, there is a practical side. Today’s Scripture passage is from Proverbs, one of the most practical books in the Bible. Spiritual values aside, the wisdom expressed in Proverbs is the best system for successful living that exists!
So, what about honesty from a practical perspective?
Dishonest people are deceitful, deceptive, unreliable, and untrustworthy. Try to do business with one and eleven times out of ten, you will regret it. (That was not a mistake.) In relationships, they cause more pain than they are worth. In families, they are a source of division and strife. In the workplace, they are as bad as in relationships.
Today’s Scripture passage ends with, “Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.” How true this is! The truth eventually comes out, regardless of how cleverly the lie is spun.
Our core motivation for being honest is that honesty is a characteristic of God. He does not tolerate sin–and would anyone dispute that dishonesty is sin? Remember the simple definition: Sin is anything that is in disagreement with God.
I encourage you to be honest in everything–even if it hurts–because the integrity of your relationship with God depends on it. You may have to establish new ways of thinking. For example: If you deceive someone, is what you gain or avoid worth more than your relationship with God? If you choose to deceive, your actions would say it is–to you.
The bottom line is that whatever you must do to live in integrity with God, do it! Today and right now is a good day and time to make the commitment.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re launching a “new” message! Today’s Seed was Scripture and Prayer only when it began in 1998. Randall’s commentary (teaching) was added later. TS will continue unchanged, and… we’re rebranding the Scripture and Prayer portion as a new message called the One Minute Message.
It will be available as an email (like TS now) and also as a podcast and video. Though we’re still testing a few things, you can check it out–and even sign up to receive it–at oneminutemessage.com. You’re welcome to receive both if you wish.
You’ll get an update in a few days with more details. OMM via email is up now, audio and video will follow soon. Take a look at oneminutemessage.com
Today’s Seed™ Scripture and Prayer for Mar. 16, 2023:
An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed. (Prov 12:17-19 NLT)
Prayer: LORD, I set my intention to be truthful with You first and then with everyone else–even if it is inconvenient, if it hurts, or if it puts me in someone’s debt. Integrity is a component of my relationship with You. I do not want to compromise my integrity for anyone or anything because nothing is worth compromising my relationship with You. Help me make it so in everything that concerns my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org
Today’s Seed™ is reader-supported
Donations are tax deductible
Donate with card or checking account
Mail check to:
E-MIN, P. O. Box 220, Warrior, AL 35180
Today’s Seed™ (c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Today’s Seed™ by Randall Vaughn is published daily (M-F) by E-MIN Global Ministries, P O Box 220, Warrior, AL 35180 (USA) • www.e-min.org • Copyright Terms/Permissions/List Privacy www.e-min.org/tp.htm
Today’s Seed™ may be re-posted electronically WITH attribution (author name and link included in post). Copyright notice and link after prayer is sufficient. Reproduction by all other means require written permission.
Scripture quotations marked “NLT” are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
‘Today’s Seed’ from E-MIN • Mar. 16, 2023
About Randall Vaughn:
With 40+ years as pastor, author, teacher, worship leader, and songwriter, Randall pioneered E-MIN in 1997–one of the earliest online ministries and today the longest operating. His passion is leading people to deeper, genuine relationship with God. He lives in Alabama with his lovely wife, Karen, and their dogs, Hadi and Rayah. He enjoys hiking, exploring new tech, and “prayer walks”.
Copyright (c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks, service marks, and/or company names, including but not limited to E-MIN, One Minute Message, Today’s Seed, et al. are the property of their respective owners.
http://www.e-min.org
E-MIN Global Ministries 