The Seven Pillars of Character- No. 3 Honesty

2 Corinthians 8:21 (AMP) For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

Introduction: I have been speaking to you about character taken from the book “The Elephant in the Room” by Robb Thompson. For the last two weeks, I have spoken to you about the “Seven Pillars of Character.” The first pillar was “Self-control” and last week it was “Respect.” Today, I want to continue with our series and speak to you about “Pillar No. 3 Honesty.”

Now why are pillars important?

Because they are foundational and not only hold something up, but they support it also and honesty is one such pillar. Now what does honesty mean? Robb Thompson says this: “It is behavior, in words and actions that aim to convey the truth. Conversely, dishonesty is a manner of speaking or acting that causes people to be misled or deluded.”

What does it mean to be honest?
1. Greek: Kalos, kal-os’, good (literal or moral) i.e. valuable or virtuous:- better, fair, good, honest, worthy.
2. Dictionary: Marked by or displaying integrity; upright. Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine. Equitable; fair. Characterized by truth; not false.
3. Probity of principles and practices: integrity, honor, uprightness, moral soundness, virtue, purity, morality.

A person who fails to tell him or herself the truth is, in reality, a dishonest person. So to discover a person’s identity and motive, we can’t just read their resume; we have to watch what they do. The problem being that we don’t really even know our own hearts until we start speaking and then watch to see if our actions are consistent with our words and intentions.

Proverbs 28:26 (NKJV)
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Honesty hurts; an individual who esteems the pillar of honesty is willing to speak the truth in love, even if it may hurt.
1. We are never going to get anywhere if we are not willing to first confront ourselves with truth.
2. The truth is that the only person who cannot see a blind spot is the one who has it.
3. Each of us needs to have at least one person, in life, whom we trust and esteem to tell us wee have a blind spot that’s tripping us up. We shouldn’t even ask a question but should accept
that it’s true and begin to immediately begin to work on it ourselves.
4. If we trust only ourselves, we are very susceptible to living lives of self deception.

Living a life of honesty before the Lord and men will result in:
1. A good, clear conscience. Hebrews 13:18 (KJV)
     Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
2. A good testimony before the world. 1 Peter 2:12 (KJV)
     Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
     visitation.
3. An honest heart keeps the Word and brings forth fruit. Luke 8:15 (NLT)
     But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.
4. Peace. Philipians 4:8-9 (KJV)
      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. ⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
      peace shall be with you.

Conclusion: Character is a needful thing for people, for without it, we will flounder our way in life. But character must be supported and held in place by pillars. The first of seven pillars is self-control and the second is respect. And the third which we have examined today is honesty. The first thing that all people need to be is honest with themselves and yet for many of us that is the hardest to do. We have blind spots that everyone sees but us. If we are not able to be honest with ourselves how can we be honest with anyone else? We must have people in our lives, who love us that we trust to tell us the truth. The truth sometimes hurts but will set us free. Once we lie, we must continue to lie or be exposed. The problem is that God knows the truth and if we will not be honest He will expose us and that becomes painful and embarrassing. So today is a new day for us to begin a life of honesty before God and man. A day without fear because God already knows. All we have to do is be honest with ourselves.

Close: Romans 12:17 (AMP)
Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble (aiming to be above reproach) in the sight of everyone.