Nothing but the Truth

I am sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Honesty is the best policy.”  There has never been a truer statement made, in my opinion.

My dad always said, “A man’s name goes before him.”  He was referring to the integrity a person shows through their lifestyle and how people perceive them.  Word and deed speak loudly the character of that individual.

If they are honest in their dealings with others, people will speak well of them, whereas, if dishonesty follows that person and raises its ugly head in any way, a negative reputation precedes them.  Non-constructive rhetoric is usually herald concerning that person.

(Matthew 5:37), “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

It might seem to the prevaricator, those that speak or act in an evasive way, that their lies are getting them something in the moment, but sooner or later their transgressions catch up to them, thus, their name going before them.

When people are honest in every area of living and treat others as they themselves expect to be treated, life goes well for them.  Telling the truth and nothing but the truth is the only way to live a happy, contented existence.

If anyone is faced with a tempting moment to seal a deal with little, white lies by ignoring truth, and they yield to this temptation to not be completely honesty, this willful act will prove to be their undoing; unprofitable in the long run.  When cashing the check received from the transaction, there will be a nagging feeling of shame, because truth was ignored.  This is the Holy Spirit speaking. 

Pulling the wool over someone’s eyes, as the saying goes, will only result in feelings of guilt and remorse.  Peace of mind departs, because God expects nothing but the truth even when it seems that a deal will be lost.  An honest person is miles ahead when their integrity is not diminished.  God will prosper and reward them openly, because of their truthfulness.  The Lord is definitely the One we want to please.

When people neglect God’s Commandments, such as, “Thou shall not steal” and they persist with dishonest thinking and/or behavior, it ties the hands of God, which prevents Him from opening up the floodgates of heaven to pour out blessings that cannot be contained. 

How can God bless someone with peace of mind if they are always misrepresenting truth?  He expects nothing but the truth.  Total honesty is our reasonable service when it comes to serving Him.

(Romans 12:1), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

When we practice holiness as the above scripture states, we become more like Christ, and His attributes become our character.  We fail within our own ability to come up to the mark of excellence, but the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome temptation.  He gives us strength to rise above wrong dealings of any type.  When we do this, things just have a way of working out.  God rewards honest living.

For example, when a person works hard each week at their place of employment, they never feel the need to back up to their payroll check on payday, because they are not ashamed of their work performance that week.  They can look their boss straight in the eyes when he hands them the check, because they know they did their level best.

A general contractor I once worked for told me that he always hired Christians, because they never stole from him and always put in a good day’s work.  I thought this was very interesting and quite insightful.  It truly said something meaningful to me.  

Dedication to honesty comes under the heading, “Nothing but the Truth.”  Work performance and honesty go hand in hand.

In a court of law, the defendant, plaintiff, and witnesses, if any, are sworn in with this question, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?”  The response expected is, “I do.”

It is most definitely in a person’s best interest to tell the truth rather than being found in contempt of court for lying on the stand.  Spending time in jail or paying a fine is not a good way to start the day.

Honesty is indeed the best policy both morally and spiritually.  Those that practice it will prosper in countless ways.  But the ultimate penalty for disregarding the 10 Commandments is being separated from God when life on earth is over.  Lying is no exception and not a small thing to God.  Sin is sin.

(Revelation 21:8), “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

There is hope for liars.  They need not fear (Revelation 21:8), because God gave His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for the sins of mankind.  He paid the full price for our redemption.  Salvation is in Jesus Christ. 

(1 John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

(John 14:6), “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

When God looks at Christians, He sees them through the blood that Jesus shed for their salvation.  Because of this amazing love for us, those that accept Him as Lord shall be saved.  We need not worry where our soul spends eternity.  Heaven will be our home.

(John 4:24), “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Hell is for those that refuse God’s answer for their sins.  As for me, I choose Jesus—nothing but the Truth.

Written by,

Papa Boyd