WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST
MEMORISE:
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. Philippians 4:8
READ: Colossians 3:9
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.
MESSAGE
Philippians 4:8 says that we should think on honest things. Colossians 3:9 tells us that lying is one of the attributes and deeds of the old, sinful man. When you become a child of God, all things are to become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). That means you must stop been dishonest.
To be honest is to be free of deceit. When you are honest, people can trust you and put sensitive things in your hands because they know you will handle them with honesty. Joseph rose to prominence everywhere he went because he was honest. He was so honest that Potiphar left all he had in his hands.
And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored. Genesis 39:6
You don't put all your life's possession in the hands of a dishonest person. Even when Joseph found himself in prison, he remained honest and became the leader of all the prisoners. Some people use the excuse of their negative circumstances to become dishonest. Such excuses can make a person miss out on God's plan for him or her. If Joseph had stopped been honest in prison, he would not have become the prime minister of Egypt. Sometimes, the situation is put there by God to test if you will remain honest. If you fail the test, you miss the great destiny that He has in store for you
Honesty is a major factor that will be considered before you are given anything sensitive to handle. The contractor that is dishonest with a project today will not be given another one tomorrow. The staff that was dishonest wth some thousands of naira yesterday will not be asked to handle a project worth millions of naira tomorrow. Dishonesty hinders progress. Proverbs 11:3 says:
The integrity of the upright shall guide them but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
God sees dishonest people as an abomination (Proverbs 12:22).
KEY POINT
Think only on honest things; don't let lies ever come out of you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 106-107
HYMN 28: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we'll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
