1. Honesty: The first chapter in the book of Wisdom

2. Let’s take a quick poll
How many liars do we have in the room this morning?

3. What is lying?

4. What is lying? Is exaggerating lying?
Is purposely not telling the whole truth lying?
Only showing our good side, never admitting our weaknesses or faults?
What happens when you are caught in the act of a nasty deed? Defensive? Blame others?

5. Lying is many times taking the easy route.

6. What motivates us to lie?

7. I don’t want to get into trouble!

8. We lie because we don’t want to look bad
We lie because we don’t want to look bad. We want to be cool and accepted in front of our friends and family.
We’ve all been dishonest

9. Since we all have lied…. We all need a Savior
Your lies and my lies have sent Jesus to the cross.

10. The Awesome Good News
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 1John 1:9

11. Why should we be honest?

12. Heart Honesty with God Super important!
Being free to admit when we did something wrong
Psalm 51:6
But You Lord desire honesty from the heart,  so You can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

13. As Christians, we are now free to come clean with our sins
When I refused to confess my sin,        I was weak and miserable,        and I groaned all day long.
    Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
    Finally, I confessed all my sins to you     and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:3-5

14. Now, as Christians, we have real choices and God’s Power to help us!
We can choose to turn away from lying and start practicing new attitudes and actions
The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices. Proverbs 21:3
The LORD hates those who don't keep their word, but he delights in those who do. Proverbs 12:22

15. Who is in your audience? Who are you out to please?

16. Each day, enjoy your friendship with Jesus, please Him and Him alone.
He loves you more than you know
He already knows your thoughts and mistakes and loves you just as much
A liar will never prosper A liar will hurt others
But a lover like Jesus will be rewarded. He sees and He won’t forget