THREE HARD WORDS

            Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived. --Thomas Paine

Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

            From the pew to the pulpit, there are three words that none of us like to say but they are often needed in order to make progress in this life. “I was wrong or I have sinned” are those three words. We do not like them because pride gets in our way to admit when we have committed sin.

            When we are unwilling to admit to ourselves, others, and most importantly to our Saviour that we failed Him once again it makes us miserable, unstable, and unusable in the House of God. However, those three words will also deliver us from the bondage of sin. Aaron said it this way in Numbers 12, “we have sinned”. David said it this way in 2 Samuel 12, “I have sinned”. Achan said it this way but it was too late, “Indeed I have sinned”.

            Friend, before you lose your family, how about saying those three hard words and trust the Saviour to make all things right! I am reminded this morning of Psalm 32:5, I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

JUST BE HONEST

            Some people wonder why their children are such liars. If they'd look into a mirror, they'd probably see the reason. - D.L. Moody

Proverbs 22:1, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

            An honest reputation is something that can be achieved before man but what is even greater is to be honest before God. You see, like Job, we should strive to have characteristics of our Lord and Saviour. What did the Lord say about Job; “…that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

            What made Job an honest man? His relationship with the Lord! His reverence toward God! His hatred of evil! How about your walk with the Lord?

BE HONEST

Some people wonder why their children are such liars.  If they'd look into a mirror they'd probably see the reason. - D.L. Moody

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12

One of the greatest sayings in the world is “Honesty is the best policy!” It is so true. I mean really, who likes, respects, or trusts a liar? Peter told the believers, Make sure your talk and walk is honest. Why? So when someone rises up against you their lies will be seen right through. Their lies will condemn themselves. That your testimony will honor and glorify the Saviour! Why? Because that is what we are suppose to do! It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

BE TRUTHFUL

            Don't you know my friend, it is not the most fluent man that has the greatest effect with a jury?  It is the man who tells the truth. - D.L Moody

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:9-10

            Anyone can tell a lie. The problem with a lie is you have to tell another lie to cover up the first one you told. Then you have to tell another and another, until before you know it, you don’t know what the truth is.

            It is honorable to tell the truth even when the truth hurts. You may lose a friend. You may lose a job. It may cost you more than you really want to pay. But in the long run, you will gain more friends being truthful than you had in the beginning.