“Honesty is a direct reflection of your inner character. Your actions are a reflection on your faith, and reflecting the truth in your actions is a part of being a good witness. Learning how to be more honest will also help you keep a clear conscious.”
By Kelli Mahoney
This is the 285th letter:
Text for the day: Exodus 20:16
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
Our Theme for the day: “THE BLUEPRINT” Part 17 (LET'S BE HONEST)
Our Devotional
You may have heard it told by your mother or some old person, honesty is the best policy. To form right notions of things, and to possess our mind with clear and distinct ideas, that we may know both how to speak and act wisely is the beginning of honesty. To distinguish between speaking the truth or falsehood, living a life of goodness or evil is also another form of honesty.
In short what is honesty and why is it so important? Honesty is telling the truth to everyone, straightforward conduct, being sincere, truthful, trustworthy, honorable, fair, genuine, and loyal with integrity. Some say, this is what most people in the world are missing. On the other hand, is it amazing how so many misunderstand the importance of being honest? This leads us to dishonesty, which can be defined simply as a behavior that is performed by someone with intent to deceive or to manipulate the truth.
Speaking of Satan the Bible says he is a liar and the truth is not in him, John 8:44. “His career of falsehood began in heaven, where he first misrepresented the character and purposes of God before the angels. By his insinuations and lies in the Garden of Eden he brought about the fall of our first parents, Genesis 3:4. History has shown, from the day of the first fall to our day, Satan has led millions of people away from serving God through lies. Satan is not just a liar, but the father of it. As a liar, Satan was expelled from heaven and will never regain residence there; neither will his children,” Revelation 22:15. BC vol. 5 Page 992
“There are a great number of opinions about honesty. Even in moral systems which approve in general of honesty over dishonesty, [but] some people think there are situations in which dishonesty may be preferable. Others would not define preferable behaviors as dishonest by reasoning that they are not intended to deceive others for personal gain, but the intent is nobler in character, for example sparing people of opinions that will upset them. Rather than dishonesty, that behavior is often viewed as self sacrifice - giving up one's voice for the happiness of others. But it can hardly be a universal approach to either determining honesty or morality.
In many circumstances, withholding one's opinions can legitimately be viewed as cowardice. Then there are those who agree to keep a promise but can’t keep their mouth, and become a betrayer of the trust of those who put their trust in them. If you are discriminated against by someone without a cause, that is sin. If you are unfairly judged by someone due to false information or beliefs left unchallenged, this is also sinful. For this reason, many people insist that an objective approach to the truth, rather than an ideological or idealistic approach, is a necessary component of honesty.
Honesty travels on a larger arc than merely telling the truth. Telling the truth involves answering a question directly without lying or attempting to deceive. Honesty involves answering even the unasked question. For instance an honest person will rarely exhibit surprising behaviour in the lives of others due to having kept others informed of personal opinions. Additionally an honest person will inform others of opportunities for growth and self-actualization.” The free encyclopedia
An honest person will not keep information or even secrets that allow people to be harmed, or deceived of their rights. An honest person will not remain silent when duty calls for them to tell the truth. In short, being honest means living in transparency to God and humanity. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” is the word of the Lord.
So what is wrong with a little white lie? Does God over look them? There is no special origin or etymology to the term "little white lie." The word "white" has long been synonymous with "good," "pure," and "intending no harm." For example, “Some believe its ok to tell a "white lie" which is a lie told for a good reason, with no intent to harm any one. They go on to say, “A white lie can be excusable only because it does not cause great harm.”
But God does not approve of this; a lie is a lie, is a lie. Whether a white lie or a black lie, the Bible calls them all lies. The Bible actually has a lot to say about honesty, as God has called Christians to be honest people. Even little white lies to protect someone's feelings can compromise your faith.
As the moral climate of our society deteriorates, lying and deceit will become major problems. The business world, which is plagued by this problem of dishonesty, company theft, promises not kept, contracts broken, etc, is all stealing. Remember, speaking and living the truth, will help those around you come to the Truth. Let us propose to speak the truth even if your voice shakes, then to speak a bold face lie and end up in hell as your shame. For without the Holy City are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, Revelation 22:11-15.
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This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci
Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, (THE BLUE-PRINT” Part 18 I know what’s in my cup)
Song of the day
Click:
Ø Today is looking out for the children day.
If possible, share with us your response.
Our Prayer for today:
Lord, deep down inside of all of us there is a stream for dishonesty. Give us the victory over this sin today, Amen.
Prayer Request
Community / International Prayer
Local Prayer Request:
Ø Let keep praying for Pastor Milton Burgess of Bermuda who is recovering from treatment at John Hopkins Hospital, and back home.
Ø Can you pray for healing in the life of Elder Kenneth Dunkley of Bermuda, JahKyra Haye, and deliverance for the Haye family?
World Events:
Ø Can you remember to pray that the fighting will stop in Yemen? The last two days have seen the worst violence in the country for several months: on Sunday, 26 people were killed and many more injured as they marched towards the presidential palace in Sanaa, the capital. Security forces in Yemen have killed more than 50 people in two days of violence against anti-government protesters, activists say, in the country's bloodiest clashes for months.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
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Today is a great day to praise the LORD for the things He is doing around the world through all Ministries. Although the work of spreading the gospel in different countries is moving ahead by human hands, it is not advancing as it should advance, yet, that which has been accomplished affords reason for gratitude and grounds for encouragement. To add to this great work of finishing the work of God is this ministry (Garden Ministry). We need your help; more and more people are seeking for Garden Ministry to be translated into their language. If you would like to translate this devotional and send it off to your friends in different parts of the world, please do so. You have our blessing.
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