The Highest Example of Honesty

Warren E. Berkley

The case can be stated in simple terms: “Lying lips are an abomination” to God {Prov. 12:22}. And there is no evidence that Jesus ever did anything that was displeasing to God. Jesus never told a lie. He said: “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no,’ no!” (Matt. 5:37). Jesus illustrated perfect honesty.

It is commonly argued today that lying is usually wrong, but that in certain situations of pressure it would be all right. Nobody has ever been under the kind of intense pressure Jesus was under while He was on the earth. He was hated, treated with rudeness and open hostility. Men plotted and conspired to find some fault in Him (though He was perfect), and He was killed by men on charges absent evidence. Through all of this, Jesus remained pure, sinless and perfectly honest. He never found any occasion to state anything expect the truth.

              “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth,’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

Now what did Jesus do under this kind of pressure and pain? He “committed Himself” to God, the only righteous Judge! And we are called by the gospel to follow His example. When we are under pressure, falsely accused, treated with contempt and reviled or simply in an awkward position – we will tell the truth and commit ourselves into the just hand of God – if we are real followers of Christ. We will steadfastly refuse temptations to lie.

              What did the apostles of Christ say about this? “…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” and outside the heavenly city are “dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie,” (Rev. 21:8, 22:15).

Christians are instructed plainly in Ephesians 4:25 to put away falsehood, and speak the truth. No exemptions, no special circumstances, no excuses – JUST TELL THE TRUTH. Jesus did.

One of the prophets who pointed the way to the Christ described the kind of integrity we should have, in Isa. 33:15,16 …

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

Let every follower of Christ strive to be blameless and pure. May our attitude be based on His example of integrity. Jesus was a man who would not tell a lie. This is something Jesus would not do.