Dishonesty, as understood within the biblical context, refers to the act of deceiving, lying, or engaging in fraudulent behavior. It is a sin that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as it stands in direct opposition to the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6). The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the destructive nature of dishonesty and its consequences.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation against dishonesty. The Ninth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and community integrity. Leviticus 19:11 further instructs, "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another."

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently addresses the issue of dishonesty. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights God's abhorrence of deceit and His pleasure in those who are truthful. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a lying tongue" and "a false witness who gives false testimony" among the seven things the Lord hates.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of honesty. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, often highlighted the value of truth. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, "But let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). This instruction calls for straightforwardness and integrity in communication.

The apostle Paul also addressed dishonesty in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:25, he exhorts believers, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." Paul emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ and how dishonesty disrupts this unity.

Consequences of Dishonesty

The Bible provides numerous examples of the consequences of dishonesty. In the book of Acts, Ananias and Sapphira's deceit regarding the sale of their property resulted in their sudden deaths (Acts 5:1-11). This account serves as a stark warning of the seriousness with which God views dishonesty.

In the Old Testament, the account of Jacob and Esau illustrates the long-term consequences of deceit. Jacob's deception of his father Isaac to receive Esau's blessing led to family strife and years of separation (Genesis 27).

God's Call to Honesty

Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to a standard of honesty that reflects His own character. In Zechariah 8:16-17, the Lord commands, "These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury. For I hate all these things, declares the LORD."

The call to honesty is not merely a moral obligation but a reflection of a transformed life in Christ. As believers are renewed in the image of their Creator, they are called to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).

Dishonesty, therefore, is not just a breach of ethical conduct but a violation of the divine nature that believers are called to emulate. The Bible's consistent message is that truthfulness is integral to a life that honors God and fosters genuine relationships with others.1. (n.) Dishonor; dishonorableness; shame.

2. (n.) Want of honesty, probity, or integrity in principle; want of fairness and straightforwardness; a disposition to defraud, deceive, or betray; faithlessness.

3. (n.) Violation of trust or of justice; fraud; any deviation from probity; a dishonest act.

4. (n.) Lewdness; unchastity.

DISHONESTY

dis-on'-es-ti: Only in 2 Corinthians 4:2, the King James Version rendering of Greek aischune; the King James Version elsewhere and the Revised Version (British and American) uniformly, "shame."

152. aischune -- shame
... dishonesty, shame. From aischunomai; shame or disgrace (abstractly or concretely) --
dishonesty, shame. see GREEK aischunomai. (aischunas) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/152.htm - 6k

Petty Dishonesty.
... XLVI. PETTY DISHONESTY. 9th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke 16, 3, 4. "What
shall I do?"I am resolved what to do.". INTRODUCTION."The ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

The Prudent Steward.
... in order to suggest and stimulate spiritual prudence in securing the interests of
the soul, is dyed through and through with the loathsome vice of dishonesty. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxv the prudent steward.htm

From the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
... Children should learn to have honest hearts, and never to take unjustly even the
smallest thing; for some begin a life of dishonesty by stealing little things ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 34 from the seventh.htm

Psalm CXL.
... For lo, the devil hath set before thee gain, invited thee to dishonesty; thou canst
not have the gain, unless thou commit the dishonesty: the gain is the bait ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

He that is Unjust in the Least is Unjust Also in Much. Luke 16:10.
... a general impression that a person may be honest in greater matters, and deserve
the character of honesty, notwithstanding he is guilty of dishonesty in small ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that is unjust in.htm

Eusebius as a Historian. The Merits and Defects of his History.
... In fact, in the face of these and other candid passages in his work, it is the sheerest
injustice to charge him with dishonesty and unfairness because he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 3 eusebius as a.htm

As they Flew, So Fast they Went that the Sea Slid Away from under ...
... thing for a rich man to grow poor; but it is an awful thing for him to grow dishonest,
and some kinds of speculation lead a man deep into dishonesty before he ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 12 as they flew.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... No words can more strongly exclude dishonesty and falseness of heart than doing
justice and loving mercy; and both these, as well as walking humbly with God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20
... Publicans or taxgatherers, who were everywhere detested because of their dishonesty
and greed, were told to demand no more tribute than was appointed and lawful ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the preaching of john.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... in your ear, "Sin, and you shall escape from difficulty; be just when you can afford
to be so, but if you cannot live except by dishonesty, be dishonest; if ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

Dishonesty (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Lewdness; unchastity. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISHONESTY.
dis ... Multi-Version Concordance Dishonesty (3 Occurrences). Luke ...
/d/dishonesty.htm - 8k

Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... which they are frequently warned, eg, highmindedness (1 Timothy 6:17); oppression
of the poor (James 2:6); selfishness (Luke 12 and 16); dishonesty (Luke 19:1 ...
/w/wealth.htm - 40k

Dishonor (47 Occurrences)

/d/dishonor.htm - 19k

Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences). Romans 1:29 Their hearts
overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice. ...
/q/quarrelsome.htm - 8k

Knavery (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Dishonesty; deceitfulness; petty tricks; fraud;
trickery; as, a knavish action. 2. (n.) Roguish or mischievous tricks. ...
/k/knavery.htm - 7k

Overflowed (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overflowed (14 Occurrences). Romans 1:29 Their hearts
overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice. ...
/o/overflowed.htm - 10k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... possesses." (See NAS NIV). Romans 1:29 Their hearts overflowed with all sorts
of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice. They were full of ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)
... On this latter occasion he was guilty of duplicity and dishonesty of conduct, causing
Elisha to denounce his crime with righteous sternness, and pass on him ...
/g/gehazi.htm - 19k

Welcome (31 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:9 "But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is ever tempting to dishonesty
as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you to the tents ...
/w/welcome.htm - 15k

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)
... which they are frequently warned, eg, highmindedness (1 Timothy 6:17); oppression
of the poor (James 2:6); selfishness (Luke 12 and 16); dishonesty (Luke 19:1 ...
/w/wealthy.htm - 17k

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