Honesty is the Best Policy

I believe honesty is always the best policy. Proverbs teaches us “the integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Prov. 11:3. But does being honest mean we share everything with everyone? No, not everyone should know our business. 

There’s a story in the Old Testament where King Hezekiah had emissaries from Babylon visit him. Foolishly King Hezekiah showed them all he had. After that, Israel was conquered by Babylon. The impetus behind their attack (besides God) was what Hezekiah showed them. Imagine the wealth of Israel amassed under King Solomon. It was an improvident decision. 

How often do we tell people too much? How many people have had their ideas stolen because they revealed too much. There’s a wonderful movie, Flash of Genius, where its lead character, Robert Sterns, which is played by Greg Kinnear, shows his invention, the intermittent wiper (which most of us take for granted on our cars) to Ford Motors. Then Ford expropriates Stearns invention for themselves without paying him a dime. Stearns spent years in litigation, lost his marriage, nearly lost his mind, and watched his children grow up while he battled Ford. He showed them too much. It cost him…years.

How often we share too much with too many people. During World War Il, it was said, “loose lips sink ships”. Knowing how and when to keep your mouth shut was a defining characteristic of that war. And Americans lived by that principle; they kept their mouth shut, did what was required of them, and won that war, resoundingly defeating the Nazi threat. Everyone was involved in the war effort; they were allied with one another against evil. 

We need that today. How many ministries have been sunk by loose lips. Now, I’m not saying we should gloss over sin. But we should have common sense in dealing with it in our midst. The Corinthians lacked that kind of common sense. Everyone heard about what happened: “A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” 1 Cor. 5:1, NIV. Yikes! It was then that the Apostle Paul stepped in: “And you are proud! Shouldn't you have been deeply sorrowful instead and removed the one who did this from among you?” 1 Cor. 5:2, Net Bible. 

Yes, we have sin in our midst. Yet, unlike the Apostle Paul, today’s apostles are not confronting sin. It’s being handled in the back room where nothing gets done. I’m all in favor of using the title apostle, but if we do, then we should have the flavor of an apostle. That means, confronting sin, correcting errors, and establishing sound doctrine. Unfortunately, I don’t see that being done by today’s apostles.

Yes, I’m concerned. By what? Our hypocrisy. Are we being hypocritical rather than humble? Humility comes through the process of being “grounded down”. Are we grounded? I remember a prophetic word I received from Tom Slone. He said, “You don’t get the sandpaper! You get the machine! It’s like a sand machine. God’s going to make you a smooth man of God. That was 30 years ago. I’ve been grounded by life. It’s what helps me keep my life grounded on God’s word.

The sand machine of God’s processes did that. I been grounded down to the bone. I’ve realized, like the Apostle Peter, I have no place else to go, for you, Jesus, alone “have the words that give eternal life.” Jn. 6:68, NLT. Yes, that’s the stark reality; there’s no better game in town. Yes, it’s Heaven or hell, and we get to choose. In that context, God is pro-choice.

I must ask you a question: Have you chosen? Have you come to the realization that the Apostle Peter and I have come to? Have you bended your knee like the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus after he was blinded and heard a voice? What was his response? “Who are you, Lord?” Acts 9:5, NIV. From being a proud Pharisee of Pharisees to being a begging disciple, the Apostle Paul came to the same conclusion as the Apostle Peter and me.

We need some honesty in our midst. Are we really doing God’s work by living lavish lives at the expense of others? You know the answer. Now, I’m not against ministers having wealth, I just think they need more wisdom than they have in what they have. Is your pursuit pleasing to God? Are you using your wealth and abundance to build His kingdom? If you have more in your 401k than in your heavenly account, maybe it’s time for a transfer. As Jesus said, “go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower." Matt. 19:21, CEV. 

Welcome to God’s recruiting station! And to God’s processes for those who desire to follow Him. Yes, we have a long ways to go. But, as it has been said, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.” I’ve taken the first step in God’s processes, have you?

— Scott Wallis