Is Honesty Just Outdated?

Why It Pays to Be Honest

"We trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." -Hebrews 13:18.

In the Bible, the original Greek word that is sometimes translated "honesty"literally means  "something that is intrinsically good."  It can also carry the meaning of something beautiful to behold in a moral sense. 

Christians take seriously the apostle Paul's words:  "We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." What does that involve? 

THE STRUGGLE WITHIN 

Most people glance at themselves in a mirror every morning before going out in public. Why? Because they want to look their best.  But there is something much more important than having a stylish haircut or fashionable clothes. Indeed, the person we are on the inside can either add to or detract from our outward appearance.
God's Word frankly admits that we are inclined to do what is bad."  The inclination of the heart of man is bad from  his youth up," says Genesis 8:21. Thus, to be honest, we must fight against our inborn sinful tendencies. The apostle Paul gave a vivid description of his own fight against sin, saying:  "I really delight in the Law of God according to the man I am within, but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin's law that is in my body." -Romans 7:22, 23. 

For example, when our heart urges us to do what is bad and we have a strong inclination to be dishonest, we do not have to be a slave to our heart's impulses.  We still have choice in the matter. When we choose to reject  a bad thought, we can remain honest despite the dishonesty surrounding us. 

Next time: Is Honesty Just Outdated? -WINNING THE BATTLE

From The Watchtower magazine