In the book of Proverbs 11, verses 1, 3, 4-6, the writer emphasizes the importance of honesty in our dealings with others.
“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight” (1).
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (3).
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust” (4-6).
For any who are unfamiliar, scales have long been used to weigh out portions of a product. Known weights are put on one side of the scale, and the product is added to the other side until the scale “balances.” If the weights used are not accurate, modified to profit the merchant by giving false readings, they are “dishonest scales” and are an abomination to God.
One of the characteristics which defines the faithful is honesty. The Bible condemns lying, guile, flattery for advantage, and any other type of dishonesty that man may be guilty of committing. Consider more proverbs:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (12:22).
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (19:1).
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (11:3).
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right” (16:13).
Many other passages could be cited, both inside and outside of the book of Proverbs. The words “integrity”, “righteousness” and “upright” rightly describe the one who God approves of and accepts. Words like “dishonest”, “unfaithful” and “wicked” describe the one who is an “abomination”; who God considers repugnant and unacceptable.
Honesty is a rare commodity in our day and time, especially in our interactions with others. Instead of trying to get ahead, or take advantage of another, why not please God by directing your “way aright”? “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).
