Honesty Involves Humility...

In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector we see two very different attitudes. We see a person who wants to be first in life. He is proud and strives for earthly esteem. The other person seems more honest, at least with himself, and wishes for God to forgive him. He strives to be made right with God, for He knows his lifestyle violates the character of God. So here we have a clear picture of human behavior. We have pride on display, a human being placing himself above all others. And we have humility on display, being honest enough to admit we are not “all that and a bag of chips”. Which attitude do you think God honors? Obviously, it’s the one that requires honesty. Pride involves deception or false esteem, which leads a person down a road of false reality; requiring more and more work to keep the deception going. Humility, on the other hand, requires honesty, accountability, and the realization of the consequences for our behavior. The only difference between lying and being a liar is consistency. You’ll either be consistent in puffing yourself up, continually finding new ways to make yourself look good. Or you’ll be terribly inconsistent, because truly dealing with your bad habits will cause you to repent and make it right. For once I’d love to see a liar’s pants catch on fire. 😜

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank You, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!12 I fast twice a week, and I give You a tenth of my income.’13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14