Arizona sun., 1947-08-22
EDITORS NOTE: Lesson subjects
and Scripture texts selected and copy
righted by International Council of Re-
Hgious Education: used by permission.
By WILLIAM CULBERTSON, d. d.
OF The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.

THE Bibles presentation of the
l. subject of uprightness of living,
or plain, downright honesty in
everyday contacts, is recognized by
all who have given any attention to
what it has to say.
The high ethical standard de-
manded by the Word of God is an
other evidence of it's divine origin.
Were men to evolve moral stand
ard of their own, it is quite evident
that that standard would not be
very much higher than their own
attainmentS; in fact, the probability
is that the Standard would be lower
than the attainment of some. How
ever, the Bible allows for no devia-
tion from the standard.
We who by nature are the chill
dren of wrath have undoubtedly
failed when we measure our lives
against Gods pattern. How need
full is Gods work Of providing
and effecting salvation! Those
who have been born of God are
then confronted with living life
that meets the divine standard.
I. A Plea for Honesty (Prov. 3:3).
Low good it is when the Christian
L i has reputation for integrity in
all his dealings. However, that out
ward manifestation is possible only
II there is inward reality. There
fore, we move in order Of emphasis
to the greater truth at the conclu-
sion of the verse. Truth is to be
written upon the tablet of the heart.
Here is the plea for heart hon
esty. 1t is not enough by plausible
argument or by feigned conduct
to appear honest before men. 1t
is necessary rather to have mo-
tives so sincere, to have a heart
SO honest, that all we do and say
will reflect a character that is
honorable.
It is out of the fullness Of the
heart that man speaketh. AS the
heart is, so is the man. Let us give
attention therefore to this word
from God.
III. A Factual Presentation of
Honesty prov. I'LL, 3; 12:17-22;
14:5.
THESE passages of Scripture
l. bring to our attention the conse-
quences of dishonesty as well as the
rewards of honesty.
For example, we know that dis
honesty is an abomination to God
(Prov. I'LL; 12:22); that perversity
Of heart has its own reward, in that
the perpetrator of evil is sooner or
later ensnared in his own sin (Prov.
11:3; that lying tongue may be
victorious, but that victory Is short
lived prov. 12:19).
On the other hand, the rewards
of honesty are also made appar-
ent, for we are told that probity
Of character is Gods delight
prov. 11:1; 12:22); that the very
integrity Of the upright shall be a
guide to them prov. 11:3); that
blessings to others flow from the
tongue of the wise prov. 1918;
and that the lip Of truth shall be
established forever prov. 12:19).
III. God and the Life Of Honesty
prov. %: 10, I'D.
THE reference here to the an
= cient landmark has to do with
the removal of such evidences as
would prove the claim Of individ-
uals to certain property.
We are to respect the rights Of
others. Honesty involves more
than correctness of speech; it i'm
plies rightness Of life. No subtlety
Of reasoning can lead us to the
conclusion that we may have
Gods approval II by unfair
means we take that which be-
longs to another.
Particular attention is given to
the fact that we are to have regard
for the fatherless. The Word of God
constantly gives special attention to
the fatherless and the widows. It
would seem that God will particu-
larly mark as amiss any unfair ad-
vantage taken over these individ-
uals. In fact, this text stresses that
God as their Redeemer will plead
their cause against anyone taking
advantage of them. Of course, there
can be only one result when God
opposes, and that is disaster to the
individual who occasions his wrath.
Perhaps it is that very sense of
helplessness that makes the fa-
therless depend upon him. 1t is
certain that until we feel our need
of God, we shall go on in our self
sufficiency without him. When our
own lack of strength becomes ap-
parent, then it is we turn to him,
and then it is that he is willing to
be- our Redeemer.
Let us dare to face the implica.
ton of these texts. Unless we com.
mend our God to men by our up.
right lives, we shall have to suffer
the consequences of our dishonesty
In divine diSDleaSlIre