Wisdom and Honesty

Wisdom -- "Understanding that results in good judgment, such that we please God, do right by our fellow man, and flourish in our own lives."

Proverbs uses a concept of honesty that extends further than just simply telling the truth: honesty involves maintaining truth and moral integrity in every aspect of life. 

Truthfulness

One of the greatest moral principles in the Bible is the necessity of truthfulness. Regardless of society's opinion, the Bible teaches us that a good person is honest while continued deceit and lies are marks of the wicked.

We all lie at times. It's just part of our nature.

Proverbs 12:20 -- "Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy."

Notice how deceit is contrasted with joy and not with truth. When you continue to plot against others, a habit of deceit is embedded in your heart.

The word "plot" is sometimes translated "plow."

Just as a farmer plows his field, the wicked plant thoughts that lead to evil.

On the other hand, the person who promotes peace will reap the blessing of joy.

Proverbs 13:5 -- "The righteous hate lying, but the wicked bring disgust and shame."

If you fear God, you will hate what God hates. And God hates falsehood.

Proverbs 12:22 -- "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but faithful people are his delight."

So the righteous person despises anything that is false. The wicked, however, are characterized by continued dishonesty. As a result, they bring shame (literally, cause a stench) and disgrace on themselves, as well as others around them.

Proverbs 26:18-19 -- "Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows, so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

Some people try to cover up malicious deception by pretending it was just in fun. But this is more than mere practical jokes. It's hurtful and deceptive.

We see that playful motives are no excuse for wounding others.

Is lying ever permissible? Some notable Christian theologians, including Augustine, John Wesley, and John Murray, have taught that deliberate lying is never permissible.

Others, such as Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, have argued that, while Christians should be known for their commitment to the sanctity of truth, there are exceptions to the rule against lying.

Present-day ethicists (known as hierarchialists) maintain that Scripture teaches that some moral principles take precedence over others. Lying may be appropriate in cases where telling the truth conflicts with obeying a higher commandment of God.

For instance, one may lie in order to save a life.

Some argue that even though this might be morally necessary, breaking God's law is still sin.

So what do we do? Tell the truth!! Be trustworthy.

Being truthful should impact every aspect of our lives.

Honesty/Dishonesty or Deception

Deception can take many forms. In Israel, deceivers would use altered weights to cheat customers in business transactions.

They would move boundary markers in order to gain a piece of the neighbor's estate.

Proverbs 11:1 -- "Dishonest scales are detestable to the LORD, but an accurate weight is his delight."

Proverbs 16:11 -- "Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his concern."

Proverbs 20:10 -- "Differing weights and varying measures— both are detestable to the LORD."

Proverbs 20:23 -- "Differing weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are unfair."

Before the use of coins, a person would pay for a purchase by weighing out measures of gold or silver.

Wicked merchants would cheat their customers by using differing sets of weights to squeeze out an extra margin of profit.

The references to dishonest scales (literally, balances of deceit) and differing weights refer to the same type of fraud.

Deception is offensive to God. Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; He is the source of all standards of right and wrong, and we should measure everything against his absolute truth and holiness.

Proverbs 23:10-11 -- "Don't move an ancient boundary marker, and don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong, and he will champion their cause against you."

Property boundaries in Israel were marked by stones set back at the time of Joshua when each family received a portion of land that would be their permanent possession. When a greedy neighbor moved the stone to one side, he was ignoring the legal boundaries set by their forefathers.

Stealing from a neighbor was bad, but encroaching on the fields of a defenseless widow or orphan was even worse. God cares for them both in special ways.

Deuteronomy 10:18 -- "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing."

The Bible teaches us that God steps in as the Defender/Redeemer of those who cannot protect themselves.

The word "defender/redeemer" (Heb. goel) referred to a near kinsman who would come to the rescue of a person who had fallen on hard times (Lev. 25; Ruth).

So, what have we learned?

As believers, we should tell the truth. We should tell the truth even when it's difficult.

Why? Because God delights in faithful people who tell the truth.

Also, as believers, we should be characterized by honesty. We should deal with people justly. We should not take advantage of other people. Instead, like our Defender and Redeemer, we should protect those who cannot protect themselves.

This is what wisdom looks like.