Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of truthfulness and integrity? Spotlight verse — Job 31:5 “If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit,” Echoes of truthfulness in the Law • Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Leviticus 19:11 — “You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.” • Deuteronomy 25:15 — “You must maintain honest and accurate weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Songs and wisdom celebrating integrity • Psalm 15:2 — “He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.” • Psalm 24:3-4 — “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who … does not swear deceitfully.” • Proverbs 10:9 — “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” • Proverbs 11:3 — “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.” • Proverbs 12:22 — “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” • Proverbs 20:7 — “The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.” Prophetic calls for honest hearts • Isaiah 33:15-16 — “He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity … will dwell on the heights.” • Zechariah 8:16 — “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates.” • Malachi 2:6 — “True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips.” Jesus sets the bar • Matthew 5:37 — “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For anything more comes from the evil one.” • Luke 16:10 — “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” • John 8:44 — “When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” Apostolic teaching on living the truth • 2 Corinthians 8:21 — “We are taking great care to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men.” • Ephesians 4:25 — “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” • Colossians 3:9 — “Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices.” • Philippians 4:8 — “Whatever is true … think on these things.” • 1 Peter 3:10 — “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” • 3 John 1:4 — “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” • Revelation 22:15 — “Outside are … everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Why God treasures integrity • Reflects His own unchanging character (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). • Protects relationships and fosters trust (Proverbs 12:17). • Guards us from judgment and discipline (Acts 5:1-11; Revelation 21:8). • Serves as a witness to a watching world (Matthew 5:16). Walking in truth today • Examine motives regularly in light of Scripture (Psalm 139:23-24). • Keep promises, even when costly (Psalm 15:4). • Speak only what is accurate, kind, and necessary (Ephesians 4:29). • Conduct financial and vocational dealings with full transparency (Proverbs 11:1). • Surround yourself with people who value honesty (Proverbs 13:20). |
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