Lesson 9 – CODE OF CONDUCT – Honesty

 

 

I.  KNIGHTHOOD REVIEW

 

A.  Vision for manhood – a man is someone who takes action (rejects passivity), accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward – God’s reward

 

B.  Code of Conduct – how we act when nobody’s looking

 

C.  Lives for a higher cause – God’s glory

 

II.  CODE OF CONDUCT – Honesty - always the best pPolicy

 

A. Why is it important to be honest?

i. Ultimately, because God requires it

B. What does God’s word, the Bible, tell us about honesty?

i. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16)

ii. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15)

C. If God has made it clear, why are we still dishonest?

i. We have a natural tendency to sin (Romans 3:23). We were born this way and only God can save us.

ii. We don’t believe God and His promises

iii. We love other things and ourselves more than we love God

D. If we continue in dishonesty, whom are we serving?

i. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

ii. Jesus said we are Satan’s children if we follow his ways

iii. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

iv. Jesus promised, if we will confess our sins He will forgive us (1 John 1:9).

 

III. APPLICATION

 

A. How do we develop the habit of honesty?

i. Keep your promises and commitments – don’t promise something you are unable or unwilling to fulfill

ii. Accept responsibility – own up to what you have done, including taking the blame for when you’ve done wrong

iii. Resolve that with God’s help you will be honest even if it hurts – because you live for God and not yourself

B. Honesty’s challenge:

i. Honesty requires us to often go against the flow – the “world” doesn’t cherish it

ii. We are often afraid of what others will think or say, but we should be more afraid of what God thinks (Matt. 10:28).

C.  Honesty is loving

i. God is loving and His ways are loving

ii. Dishonesty and lying are not loving.

 

 

SCRIPTURE VERSES TO REMEMBER AND APPLY:

 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Eph. 4:25)