I remember as I did my diploma, and I just couldn’t participate in the exam malpractice & cheating. I just could not. For it is wrong. Of course I’m not saying I have never needed help in an exam. There are some people who never trusted their brains at all for anything, such that they snuck in, wrote answers on each of their tables, and had it easy, coping while the actual exam proceeded.
I refused to. And yes, I failed this specific course unit. I got 48% and I had to retake.
Joseph was a young man, true to himself, and he honestly spoke of the dreams he had. The dreams made him appear to be above his parents & siblings, and because of this, he was sold as a slave. His honesty cost him.
Samson was too honest, even when this he was supposed to keep quiet about. He mentioned his secret to the philistine lady, and off went the horseman of Israel.
What’s honesty?
Honesty is also known as truth. It might cost you, but it shall set you free. Perhaps Joseph felt some guilt or discomfort seeing his brothers, but now they all couldn’t deny the fact that Joseph went ahead of them for their own good.
Joseph at some point became lonely because of being honest. Samson became blind because of being honest! What I learnt from these stories is yes, telling the truth could be okay, but not everyone will be happy about it.
Some people can’t stand you above. The world in general may not expect a suburb born like you to rise up to a global standard. Holding its perspective shouldn’t stop you from holding yours. Joseph didn’t despise his dream. He guarded his heart. He held God true and everyone else a liar.
The lesson I learn about honesty is if the world won’t be honest, the last person who shouldn’t be is me. Imagine Joseph lived in denial of his dreams. He could not have interpreted Pharaoh’s. And then the famine would have come, and every one would have died. Including all sons of Jacob. And Israel would have not become a nation. Since those meant to leave a posterity would have passed on.
Being honest and true to ourselves, builds confidence in us, and more to that, integrity. Though some classmates cheated, they might not have the chance to pass when an interview comes years later as they apply for a job. Will they cheat if it’s an oral? What if their academics seem impressive only to be unimpressed by the interviewers!
On the other end of honesty, some things are for keeps. Samson could have still known the truth about his hair and yet not share it to anyone. I know what it feels to keep your mouth shut! Yet all your insides are boiling to tell. But if he had kept quiet, it would have turned out for his good.
Jesus said He was the truth. And He was tested in the deserted. . .tempted. This is an inescapable for every one who’s in His likeness. Your honesty shall be tested. Joseph was tested again while at Potiphar’s house. Would he have laid with his wife, just to keep his job? NO. He chose rather to suffer in prison, than to sin against His God.
And God rewarded Him, by elevating him to being the second greatest man in Egypt—which bore the strongest economy at the time.
But, God is also a God of second chances. Even after Samson screwed up, He gave him strength one more time to destroy the philistines as his final wish. Maybe your honesty was tested, but you feel guilty for botching it. He wants you to know that He doesn’t condemn you, but trusts and knows that you can do what’s right! And He’ll help you triumph in all testings of honesty, at your workplace, in your marriage, at your church, and in your life!
Honesty might cost you, but if it is not tested, then the strengthening & refinery of your character can never be!
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Jude 1:24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling (unto dishonesty), And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
Brackets mine…
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