+Truthfulness+

1. Do you struggle with always being honest and simply saying the truth?
2. Are you more concerned about what others think of you than what God thinks?
3. Are there areas in your life that you think you need to hide because you fear what people would say if you were exposed?
4. Can you hide anything from God?

Acts 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

What did Ananias, and Sapphira do wrong?
 

Was this an obvious sin?
 -(what was the early church was doing with their possessions?)

What is honesty?

Honesty is a reflection of who we are and what or who we worship.

Honesty means: uprightness, integrity, trustworthiness, truthfulness, sincerity, freedom from deceit or fraud.

Honest means: to be honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. (RSV)
   -Provide means: to think or mediate beforehand.
   -Things honest. Literally, things beautiful, or comely.

If you want to ruin the Truth, stretch it. ~ unknown author

Six things that the Lord hates and the seventh is an abomination to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19
 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
   1. A proud look.
   2. A lying tongue.
   3. Hands that shed innocent blood.
   4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.
   5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief.
   6. A false witness that speaketh lies.
   7. Sowing discord among the bretheren.

Is honesty important?

Is it important that we are honest in all areas of life?

Can a honest person be trusted?

Can a dishonest person be trusted?

Dishonesty breaks down and destroys trust.

Proverbs 11:1 ¶ A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Proverbs 12:22 ¶ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
The Parable of the Sower
Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Honesty will show itself by its fruits.

Honesty is important in leadership and in carrying out responsibility.

Acts 6:1 ¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
 Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1Timothy 2:1-4
 1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Honesty comes from a heart that is surrendered to God and a heart that is in fellowship with Him.
Honesty is anchored in truth.
Honesty is up building.
Honesty builds lasting relationships.

Dishonesty brings contention and distrust.
Dishonesty tears down and destroys.
Dishonesty brings fear and confusion.

Am I honest in what I say and do?
 -How easy is it to take back something that is said?
Am I quick to defend myself when presented with truth?
Do I stretch the truth in order to make something sound better?
Am I honest in the struggles that I face?

Unless we willingly humble ourselves and become completely honest with God, we will not live in victory but rather view our self as the victim.

But when we willingly humble ourselves and are honest with God, God is able to transform our life from being a victim of sin, to a victor through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.