H O N E S T Y
“kalos” – good; admirable; becoming; its ethical meaning is:
fair, right, honorable, of such conduct as deserves esteem; upright or moral disposition;
integrity or the quality or state of being of sound moral principle;
uprightness in one’s dealings with others.
Lk. 8:8, 11,
15 In
what kind of heart (ground/person/inner
being of a person) does the word of God (the
gospel) find reception, growth, and fruit with perseverance?
With what kind of heart do you respond to the Word of God,
in general?
How did you determine your answer?
And why do you respond to God’s Word, the Bible, in
general this way?
Rom.
Do you respect (take
thought in advance with regard for) that which people in general consider
to be right, and why?
What are some specific areas or actions in general which
people consider to be right?
2 Cor. 8:21 What do
Paul and Timothy (1:1) have to say
about their attitude toward the collection and transporting of the money that
these Corinthian Christians are donating to the poor Christians in Jerusalem?
Why do they have this attitude (vs. 20)?
How did they guard their honesty in regards to the
collection and transporting of the money (vss.
6, 16-19, 22)?
Do you take
these kinds of precautions in areas of conduct which could demonstrate before
others your regard for honesty? Why?
Can you give a specific, personal
example from your own life where you’ve demonstrated your regard for honesty?
1 Pet.
Why?
Are you keeping your behavior
excellent (honest or good) around
non-Christians so that on judgment day they will have to admit to (glorify/praise) God that He was truly
working/living in you because they observed your good deeds?
How do you specifically go about keeping your behavior
excellent?
Would
staying Spirit-filled/controlled, keeping all civil laws, and not stealing,
cheating, lying, and gossiping, but instead being helpful, generous, and kind
help out? If
so, how?
“semnos”
– nobly serious; venerable or respectable by reason of dignity and character.
Phil. 4:8 What is the relationship between that
which is honorable and our thought life?
What are some specific examples of things that are
honorable upon which we can let our mind’s dwell?
Are you letting your mind dwell on these things? If so, how
often, and why?
“betsa”
– dishonest gain.
Ezek. 22:13, 27 How
is
What
is God’s reaction to
[Smiting
or clapping hands together was a cultural sign of derision/ridicule/scorn –
Lam. 2:15; Nahum 3:19; Ezek. 6:11; 25:6.].
Have you ever acquired anything through dishonest means (e.g., stealing, cheating, lying, etc.)?
If
so, when, what, and why (it’s optional to
answer this verbally)?
VERSES
RELATING TO HONESTY (refraining from lying, cheating, or stealing)
Deut. 25:13-16
(Lev.
What would be their reward for their honesty?
How
does God view the dishonest person?
Are
you ever dishonest in your dealings with people? If so, why?
Isa. 33:15, 16 To whom does God say that that
person will dwell on the heights and have his food guaranteed?
Do
you reject acquiring gain by unjust means?
How do you feel about dishonesty, and why?
Psa. 37:21 What is one form of dishonesty mentioned
here?
Do
you ever borrow money, tools, videos, cassettes, CDs, books, clothes, or
anything else and not return them on time or at all, and why?
Jer.
Have
you ever been guilty of using other people’s services and not paying them (unless they volunteered to do it free)? For example: a mechanic fixing your car; a typist typing your research
paper or any paper; an air-conditioner repairing your air-conditioning system;
a plumber fixing your plumbing; an electrician repairing your wiring; or a
grocer friend giving you food; etc. If so, why?
Jer. 9:3-5, 8, 9 What form
of dishonesty is mentioned here?
What is God’s attitude toward this?
Are you ever dishonest by not telling the truth? If so, why?
Neh. 13:12, 13 Why
were Shelemiah, Zadok, Pedaiah, and Hanan appointed to be in charge of the
store houses?
Could people say this of you, and why?
2
Ki. 12:10-12, 15
(22:4-7) Why didn’t the king’s scribe and the high priest require an
accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money?
Could people say this of you? Why?
If
honesty is not a strong characteristic in your life, how could it become one (Eph.
Do
you plan to make this a character trait of your life that you’re known for, and
why?
Prov.
Have you ever brought trouble to your family
because of illicit profits (e.g.,
stealing, cheating, lying)?
Have you ever lied, cheated, or stolen
something because someone bribed you to do so, and why?