Honesty

In this post I will mostly be sharing Scripture verses and some thoughts from Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbour. Honesty is the 9th commandment.

Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Adam Clarke says of this verse: "Thou shalt not raise a false report - Acting contrary to this precept is a sin against the ninth commandment. And the inventor and receiver of false and slanderous reports, are almost equally criminal. The word seems to refer to either, and our translators have very properly retained both senses, putting raise in the text, and receive in the margin. The original לא תשא lo tissa has been translated, thou shalt not publish. Were there no publishers of slander and calumny, there would be no receivers; and were there none to receive them, there would be none to raise them; and were there no raisers, receivers, nor propagators of calumny, lies, etc., society would be in peace."
Note: Calumny is a false and slanderous statement. 

Psalm 15:1-2 LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (I hate to stop here with this wonderful chapter, but it could be a post to itself)

Here I'll share Clarke's thoughts again because I like what he said about verse 2.
"He is a true man; in him there is no false way. He is no man of pretenses; speaking one thing, and meaning another. He professes nothing but what he feels and intends; with him there are no hollow friendships, vain compliments, nor empty professions of esteem, love, regard, or friendship. His mouth speaks nothing but what his heart dictates. His heart, his tongue, and his hand, are all in unison. Hypocrisy, guile, and deceit, have no place in his soul."

This brings me to Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  Psalm 15:2 talks about speaking the truth in our heart and Matthew says that our speech reveals our heart. (Proverbs 4:23)

In Philippians 4:8 we are exhorted to meditate on the truth: 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. Make room only for truth and honesty in your heart so that only truth will come out of your lips. Deceit is of Satan, who is the father of it. (John 8:44)

Lying is an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,) "But they that deal truly are His delight." (Proverbs 12:22) because God is the source of truth and our example to follow: Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.  (John 14:6) 

An example of how much God hates lying is found in Acts chapter 5 where the account of Ananias and Sapphira is recorded. They lost their lives as a result of their sin.

A "half truth" is a whole lie.

God says that, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Proverbs 12:19
Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Proverbs 19:22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 

David did not want dishonest people near him or influencing him: Psalm 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

And in Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.