Dishonest Abe

DISHONEST ABE

Abraham Lincoln was given the nickname "Honest Abe" because of his honest character. Not just as President, but back in the days of working in a country store or as a lawyer, Abe was becoming a man of integrity long before He was President and now a famous character of our past History.

I think it's a good thing to be associated with honesty, integrity, high morals and values. What if his name was "Lying Lincoln" or "Disonest Abe", that wouldn't have been very good.

We live in a world that teaches us it's ok to lie, or "little white lies" don't hurt anyone, but in my book and with what I study in the Bible, lying is lying. Always has been always will be. If I get a paper cut on my finger, or a slice my hand with a big hunting knife, a cut is still a cut. One may be smaller, but they both still bleed and still cut the flesh. Lying is the same way, they may be small or big, but both are still lies, and still wrong.

More than lying, what concerns me is dishonesty. People think because they don't actually tell a lie or are lying, that they are being honest, and that is one of the biggest lies to come out of hell. You can be very dishonest and misleading without actually telling a lie. Both are bad by the way.
Withholding information, not telling someone the truth, and avoiding the truth are all dishonest characteristics and traits.

We justify it by saying we want to protect someone, or not hurt someone's feelings, or it doesn't hurt anyone, or we want to keep ourselves from feeling uncomfortable, but the fact is, dishonesty is dishonesty and is the same as lying. Lying is the opposite of truth and dishonesty is the opposite of honesty and both not true.

Our churches are filled with people who are living dishonest lives in their relationships, jobs, and interactions, but they justify their actions, when will we stop justifying our sin? We can justify our actions till the cows come home, jump over the moon, and eat more chikin, but it will never change what we are really doing in God's eyes and that's all that matters. God is our judge, He's who we need to start being accountable to.

We are all guilty and capable of being dishonest people,I've been dishonest in the past, but I want to be known as someone who is honest. I want to be treated by people honestly, and it breaks my heart and upsets me when people are dishonest with me or others. They don't "lie", but they aren't telling the truth. We need more truth tellers in our world, in our churches. We need people of high character, integrity, and values in our lives and we need to be the same for them. We need less justifications and excuses and more honesty.

Take if from someone who has had to rebuild his character, your life is less complicated, more peaceful, and you're closer to God when you speak the truth, always strive to do the right thing, and are honest with people, no matter the situation or consequences. Honesty is not only the best policy, but the only policy. Don't treat the people you love and respect or any of God's children with anything less than honesty.

"A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies."
Proverbs 12:17(NIV)