Proverbs 12:13, “The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.”

Dishonest people who twist the facts to support their claims are likely to be trapped by their own lies; but for someone who always tells the truth, the facts give an unshakable defense. If you have to defend yourself to others, it may be because your honesty is less than it ought to be.

Truth is always timely, and it applies today as well as in the future. Truth is connected with God’s changeless character. God is the source of all truth, and His Word has stood the test of time. His Word and truth should make up our internal character.

Our aim in this study is to focus on three areas in which to build our internal character.

HONESTY IN OUR WALK

FAITH!

Hebrews 11:2, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Is the inward man the same as the outward man? Here is our problem as I see it: we are not willing to admit what we are on the inside.

In studying some heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11:1-7, we see in the case of Noah that living by faith is acting upon unseen things.

  • Being ATTENTIVE to God’s Word, verse 7, “Being warned of God.”
  • Being ALERT, verse 7, “Moved with fear,” or moved with caution.
  • Taking proper ACTION verse 7, “Prepared an Ark.”

Paul was being honest—not backslidden—in Romans 7:14-25.  The flesh does not agree with the Word of God, and we must be honest about our condition in order to walk with God.

FEELINGS!

Proverbs 16:2, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.”

We cover our feelings because we are afraid of truth. Again, we must be honest with our feelings.

FINANCES!

Please study 1 Timothy 6:6-12.

There is a good chance that we will be dishonest in other areas in our Christian walk if we are not honest with our finances. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil, not the money itself.

FAMILY!

Proverbs 20:7, “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

How is our “inward” walk? Watch what your children do, because they will manifest what you really are. Let’s produce after our own kind, asking God to give us internal character and honesty in our daily walk.

Share this post

Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff

Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.