Proverbs 20:10 False weights and unequal measures—the LORD detests double standards of every kind.
I heard the statement “Less than honest” being used to describe a person’s character. I thought we are either honest or dishonest, but not less than honest. Here we go again minimizing the affects of sin and the fallen nature of man. We use a double standard of spiritual measurement when it comes to wanting to simplify sin in our lives.
He is not a thief, he just has sticky fingers. She is not a prostitute, she is just a lady of the night. We are not liars, we simply embellish our position or we miss-peak. He is not dishonest, he is just less than honest. I think God would call this fig-leaf-religion. Gen. 3:7b And they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. We use aprons to cover our sins and to cover our momentary faux pas. See, I’m doing it, turning a sin into a small miss step; a simple faux pas.
He is not a thief, he just has sticky fingers. She is not a prostitute, she is just a lady of the night. We are not liars, we simply embellish our position or we miss-peak. He is not dishonest, he is just less than honest. I think God would call this fig-leaf-religion. Gen. 3:7b And they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. We use aprons to cover our sins and to cover our momentary faux pas. See, I’m doing it, turning a sin into a small miss step; a simple faux pas.
Where does this less than honest approach to the human condition come from? Why are we so devious? In the book of Jeremiah, a profound statement is made about the heart of man. Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? That is the problem. Our soul’s default setting is duplicity at best and subterfuge at worst.
We just cannot fix this heart condition on our own. That is why we need a savior. Thank God for Jesus and the work He did for us on the cross. Our hearts have been made clean through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. Nah. 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him. Outside of God’s help to create a new heart within us, there is no help. Man’s heart is deceptive and needs an absolute reconstruction made by God.
We just cannot fix this heart condition on our own. That is why we need a savior. Thank God for Jesus and the work He did for us on the cross. Our hearts have been made clean through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. Nah. 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him. Outside of God’s help to create a new heart within us, there is no help. Man’s heart is deceptive and needs an absolute reconstruction made by God.
Jesus understood this about human nature. Christ is at work continually on man’s heart. Through His teaching of parables and lessons, the Lord reveals our motives in life. Jesus’ nature and example for living was pure and God-centered. He did not need man’s approval for His mission on earth.
Jesus made sure He did not fall into the trap that popularity brings but kept his purpose God-minded. John 2:23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. Dare I say it, Jesus knew that mankind was less than honest.
Jesus made sure He did not fall into the trap that popularity brings but kept his purpose God-minded. John 2:23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. Dare I say it, Jesus knew that mankind was less than honest.
Growing into and reaching for a mature heart that is God-centered is the will of God for each one of us. No half measures can be used to find the heart and will of our heavenly Father. Jer. 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. I suppose seeking God with a halfhearted approach would be less than spiritually honest on our part since God tells us to do it with all our hearts. Perhaps living an insipid milky-toast Christianity is also less than forthright when it comes to being ready to give an account of the real hope that we live in because of what Christ did for us. 1 Pet.3:15 Instead, exalt the Messiah” as Lord in your lives. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.
We have been saved from a Christless eternity. Wow, there is a reason to seek God with a full, exuberant, and hopeful heart. Maybe giving it all we have for the Lord will keep us all truly honest and become people of character in Christ. May we all be an honest blessing to man and God.
We have been saved from a Christless eternity. Wow, there is a reason to seek God with a full, exuberant, and hopeful heart. Maybe giving it all we have for the Lord will keep us all truly honest and become people of character in Christ. May we all be an honest blessing to man and God.
Thank you Larry. May God bless you and Fran. Keep up the good work.
How do you continue to come up with such good stuff? May the Lord continue to give you down loads. Stay blessed.