Articles
Honesty, A Much Needed Attribute
Christians, as imitators of Jesus Christ, need to be honest with each other in all things. Good communication requires loving and considerate honesty. Allow me to suggest three areas where honesty is required:
In Bible Disagreements. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in honestly saying, “I don’t believe God teaches that.” Loyalty (and honesty) toward God requires this. What better example can we have than Jesus honestly confronting the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-9). In all honesty, with love, kindness, and like Jesus, controlled anger, show why you disagree - with scripture.
In Relational Disagreements. Inevitable conflict will result in close relationships (marriage, friendships, church, etc.). In matters of judgment, the best response often is “longsuffering and bearing with one another” in love (Colossians 3:12-13). But where principle or doctrine is concerned, loving and concerned honesty requires open Bible communication (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 6:1-2).
In Congregational Service. Men, it is dishonest and hypocritical to have “personal” unrepented sin in your life and at the same time lead a prayer, serve on the Table, or do any public church service. Honesty to the congregation requires you to personally “back-off” of any service until you get spiritually back on track. The only requirement requested by God to get forgiveness for this is genuine repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). Often a forgiven person may require additional time to spiritually “re-adjust,” but in most cases this is a personal decision of honesty with one’s own feelings and conscience.
