The Challenge to be Truthful

This morning’s Scripture Reading: Col. 3:5-10
Introduction:
Honesty & integrity are desperately needed in today’s society! Deviancy is being redefined at every change. With many, lying is nothing more than “misinformation.” The world says it’s OK to lie to conceal bad behavior. The world says “half-truths” are not too big of a deal. But, truthfulness is expected behavior for the child of God. (Prov. 12:22; 2 Cor. 8:21; Heb. 13:18; 1 Peter 2:12). And yet, the temptation to be dishonest can be overwhelming! What can we do about it? Let’s talk about the challenge to be truthful!

I. ___________________ takes many forms.
    A. Lying is usually divided into three forms.
        1. Consciously telling a _______________. See Gen. 12:12-13; 20:2-5; 11-12
        2. __________ __________ lies.
        3. Telling ______-__________ or misrepresenting the truth.
            a) Acts 5:1-4—_____________ & ______________ misrepresented the facts!
            b) This is nothing more than deceit—Rom. 1:28-32—of which God condemns!
    B. Cheating. 80% of college students admit to cheating; Driven by the pressure to conform…
    C. ________ or _________. This is nothing more than _________________. See Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:3
    D. Not working for _______________ as we should—Col. 3:22

II. Dishonesty will _________________ us!
    A. Always catches up to us! Prov. 19:5, 9; 21:28.
        1. We can find ourselves _________________ by our lies! See Prov. 12:13.
        2. Experience embarrassment; loss of ____________; honor; dignity.
        3. Prov. 6:12-15—causes us to be ___________________.
    B. Eph. 4:22- it _________________ us! See also 4:25!
        1. We’re _________________ of God! Eph. 5:1-5
    C. Prov. 6:16-17—lying/deceit is an ______________________ to God!
        1. Makes us a ____________ to sin again! Rom. 6:16; Jhn. 8:34
    D. Rev. 21:8—will prohibit ones entering _________________.
        1. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15
        2. A very clear picture has been painted as to God’s view of this sin!

III. God demands His people be ___________________!
    A. Rom. 12:17—respect what is right in the sight of all men. (NASV)
    B. We’ve been _______ ________ from the world! An honest man is the noblest work of God!
        1. Col. 3:3; 8-11—lay aside the old self with its evil practices.
    C. Our ________ must be our _________!
        1. When you say something, will it be regarded as truth? See Heb. 13:18; Mt. 5:33-37
    D. We must practice & maintain the ___________ ____________.
        1. Do we do right when no one is ___________?
        2. Do we do our ________ in everything? Is our word our bond?

Conclusion:
A. Yes...it’s a challenge to remain truthful at all times!
B. Building a reputation built on truth, honesty, integrity CAN be done! Phil. 4:13



The Challenge to be Truthful This morning’s Scripture Reading: Col. 3:5-10 Introduction: Honesty & integrity are desperately needed in today’s society! Deviancy is being redefined at every change. With many, lying is nothing more than “misinformation.” The world says it’s OK to lie to conceal bad behavior. The world says “half-truths” are not too big of a deal. But, truthfulness is expected behavior for the child of God. (Prov. 12:22; 2 Cor. 8:21; Heb. 13:18; 1 Peter 2:12). And yet, the temptation to be dishonest can be overwhelming! What can we do about it? Let’s talk about the challenge to be truthful! I. ___________________ takes many forms. A. Lying is usually divided into three forms. 1. Consciously telling a _______________. See Gen. 12:12-13; 20:2-5; 11-12 2. __________ __________ lies. 3. Telling ______-__________ or misrepresenting the truth. a) Acts 5:1-4—_____________ & ______________ misrepresented the facts! b) This is nothing more than deceit—Rom. 1:28-32—of which God condemns! B. Cheating. 80% of college students admit to cheating; Driven by the pressure to conform… C. ________ or _________. This is nothing more than _________________. See Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:3 D. Not working for _______________ as we should—Col. 3:22 II. Dishonesty will _________________ us! A. Always catches up to us! Prov. 19:5, 9; 21:28. 1. We can find ourselves _________________ by our lies! See Prov. 12:13. 2. Experience embarrassment; loss of ____________; honor; dignity. 3. Prov. 6:12-15—causes us to be ___________________. B. Eph. 4:22- it _________________ us! See also 4:25! 1. We’re _________________ of God! Eph. 5:1-5 C. Prov. 6:16-17—lying/deceit is an ______________________ to God! 1. Makes us a ____________ to sin again! Rom. 6:16; Jhn. 8:34 D. Rev. 21:8—will prohibit ones entering _________________. 1. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15 2. A very clear picture has been painted as to God’s view of this sin! III. God demands His people be ___________________! A. Rom. 12:17—respect what is right in the sight of all men. (NASV) B. We’ve been _______ ________ from the world! An honest man is the noblest work of God! 1. Col. 3:3; 8-11—lay aside the old self with its evil practices. C. Our ________ must be our _________! 1. When you say something, will it be regarded as truth? See Heb. 13:18; Mt. 5:33-37 D. We must practice & maintain the ___________ ____________. 1. Do we do right when no one is ___________? 2. Do we do our ________ in everything? Is our word our bond? Conclusion: A. Yes...it’s a challenge to remain truthful at all times! B. Building a reputation built on truth, honesty, integrity CAN be done! Phil. 4:13