Definition and Importance
Honesty, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being truthful, sincere, and free from deceit or fraud. It is a fundamental virtue that reflects the character of God and is expected of His followers. Honesty is not merely about refraining from lying but encompasses integrity, transparency, and faithfulness in all aspects of life.

Biblical References
The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of honesty. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights that God values truthfulness and integrity, and He takes pleasure in those who practice honesty.

In the New Testament, Ephesians 4:25 instructs believers, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This command underscores the necessity of honesty within the Christian community, promoting unity and trust among believers.

Honesty in Conduct
Honesty is expected in all areas of life, including business dealings, personal relationships, and spiritual commitments. Leviticus 19:35-36 commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This directive illustrates the importance of fairness and integrity in economic transactions, reflecting God's justice and righteousness.

Honesty and the Heart
The Bible teaches that honesty is a matter of the heart. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 15:18-19, saying, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Here, Jesus points out that dishonesty originates from a corrupt heart, and true honesty requires inner transformation.

Consequences of Dishonesty
Scripture warns of the consequences of dishonesty. Proverbs 19:5 declares, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape." This warning serves as a reminder that deceit ultimately leads to judgment and consequences, both in this life and in the life to come.

Honesty and Witness
Honesty is crucial for a believer's witness to the world. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." A life marked by honesty and integrity serves as a testimony to God's truth and righteousness, drawing others to Him.

Role Models of Honesty
The Bible provides examples of individuals who exemplified honesty. Joseph, in Genesis 39, maintained his integrity despite false accusations and imprisonment. Daniel, in Daniel 6, remained faithful and honest in his service to the king, even when faced with the threat of death. These accounts serve as powerful reminders of the value and impact of living an honest life.

Conclusion
While the Bible does not provide a specific conclusion on the topic of honesty, it is clear that honesty is a vital aspect of Christian living. It reflects the character of God, fosters trust and unity, and serves as a powerful witness to the world. Believers are called to cultivate honesty in their hearts and actions, aligning themselves with the truth of God's Word.Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
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Ephesians 4:25
Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
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Mark 10:19
You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother.
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2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
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Proverbs 20:10
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
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Psalm 15:5
He that puts not out his money to usury, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that does these things shall never be moved.
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Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
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1. (a.) Honor; honorableness; dignity; propriety; suitableness; decency.

2. (n.) The quality or state of being honest; probity; fairness and straightforwardness of conduct, speech, etc.; integrity; sincerity; truthfulness; freedom from fraud or guile.

3. (a.) Chastity; modesty.

4. (a.) Satin flower; the name of two cruciferous herbs having large flat pods, the round shining partitions of which are more beautiful than the blossom; -- called also lunary and moonwort. Lunaria biennis is common honesty; L. rediva is perennial honesty.

HONEST; HONESTY

on'-est, on'-es-ti: The word "honest" in the New Testament in the King James Version generally represents the adjective kalos, "good," "excellent," "honorable," and, with the exception of Luke 8:15, "honest and good heart," is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into the more correct "honorable" (Romans 12:17 2 Corinthians 8:21; 2 Corinthians 13:7 Philippians 4:8); in 1 Peter 2:12, into "seemly.' In the American Standard Revised Version "honestly" in Hebrews 13:18 is rendered "honorably," and in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 (here euschemonos) is rendered "becomingly." The noun "honesty" occurs but once in the King James Version as the translation of semnotes (1 Timothy 2:2), and in the Revised Version (British and American) is more appropriately rendered "gravity."

James Orr

4587. semnotes -- seriousness
... gravity, honesty. From semnos; venerableness, ie Probity -- gravity, honesty. see
GREEK semnos. (semnoteta) -- 1 Occurrence. (semnoteti) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4587.htm - 7k6666. tsedaqah -- righteousness
... Word Origin from the same as tsedeq Definition righteousness NASB Word Usage honesty
(1), justice (1), merits (1), right (2), righteous (1), righteous acts (3 ...
/hebrew/6666.htm - 6k

Whether Honesty is the Same as virtue?
... OF HONESTY* (FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as
synonymous with moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.] Whether ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether honesty is the same.htm

Irish Honesty
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions; A
Dream Irish Honesty. Monday, 29."We left the harbor about ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/irish honesty.htm

Whether Honesty Should be Reckoned a Part of Temperance?
... OF HONESTY* (FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as
synonymous with moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.] Whether ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether honesty should be reckoned.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... Chapter Three The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests
to its Heavenly Origin. The title of this chapter suggests ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Of Honesty* (Four Articles) [*Honesty must be Taken Here in Its ...
... OF HONESTY* (FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as
synonymous with moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.]. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of honesty four articles honesty.htm

Peter Doubts Simon's Honesty.
... Homily XVIII. Chapter V."Peter Doubts Simon's Honesty. When Simon had
made these statements, Peter said to him: "Can you call ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v peter doubts simons honesty.htm

Whether the Honest is the Same as the Beautiful?
... OF HONESTY* (FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as
synonymous with moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.] Whether the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the honest is the.htm

Whether Affinity is Caused by Betrothal?
... This is called "the justice of public honesty," which is an impediment to marriage
even as affinity and consanguinity are, and according to the same degrees ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether affinity is caused by.htm

Whether the Honest Differs from the Useful and the Pleasant?
... OF HONESTY* (FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as
synonymous with moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.] Whether the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the honest differs from.htm

The Likeness of God
... Be honest, says St. Paul; for this too is part of the Godlike life, and the new
man is created after God, in justice and honesty. And that this is what St. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiv the likeness of god.htm

Honesty (4 Occurrences)
... moonwort. Lunaria biennis is common honesty; L. rediva is perennial honesty.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HONEST; HONESTY. on ...
/h/honesty.htm - 9k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... (3) Pe`ullah generally means "work," "labor," "reward," "wages." The old Levitical
Law was insistent on honesty in wages and on promptness in payments: "The ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Honest (34 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To adorn; to grace; to honor; to make becoming, appropriate, or
honorable. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HONEST; HONESTY. ...
/h/honest.htm - 18k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... those who were "eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (Luke 1:2 f). It is simply
impossible to save the credit, in any matter involving honesty or commonsense ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... those who were "eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (Luke 1:2 f). It is simply
impossible to save the credit, in any matter involving honesty or commonsense ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair
representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Gravity (3 Occurrences)
... gravity, sound speech (Revised Version), that cannot be condemned" (compare 1 Timothy
3:8). In 1 Timothy 2:2 the same word is translated "honesty" (the Revised ...
/g/gravity.htm - 9k

Incorruptness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Freedom or exemption from decay or corruption.
2. (n.) Probity; integrity; honesty. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/incorruptness.htm - 6k

Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive;
uprightness; -- used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts ...
/i/integrity.htm - 22k

Friendship (13 Occurrences)
... The honesty and frankness of genuine friends are set forth in the maxim, "Faithful
are the wounds of a friend" (27:6). Walter G. Clippinger. ...
/f/friendship.htm - 13k

What does the Bible say about honesty? | GotQuestions.org

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Honesty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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