(I re-worked this outline--not all original with me)

Proverbs 12:22

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.  Shakespeare

How can you tell who is honest anymore.  Lying is so common and done so calmly.

It's happening in schools across the country-in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, even colleges. Cheating has become a national epidemic. The statistics are shocking:

 80% of high school students admit to having cheated
 67% say they have copied homework
 98% say they have let others copy their work
 95% of those who cheated avoided getting caught
 34% said their parents never talked to them about cheating or lying to teachers.

In another survey done at college campuses, more than 75% of the students admitted to cheating, but less than half of the college faculty said they had ever reported cheating. Even in elementary schools, cheating has become so common that in a recent writing contest in Atlanta, 3 of the 10 finalists were disqualified for plagiarizing.

I.                   THE DEVIL’S CHARACTERISTIC

John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

                        Satan in Garden of Eden

II.                THE DAMAGE OF CHARACTER

Le 19:11 “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”

Abraham stating that Sarah was his sister

Son followed and did the same thing Isaac

“There are no idle rumors. Rumors are always busy.”

III.             THE DESIRE OF THE CARNAL

Josephs Brothers Gen 37:29-35

Amnon deceived Tamar by feigning sickness, 2 Sam 13:6-14

IV.             THE DISHONOR TO CHRIST

Proverbs 14:5,25

“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”

Job 21:34 “How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

One thing which we can and ought to keep after giving it is our word.

Ananias and Sapphira had a choice

V.                THE DISCERNING CHOICE

Proverbs 12:19 “The lips of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Psalms 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

King Edward III of England wanted a governess for his children.  A Scottish lady of integrity and character was recommended to him.  The king offered her the position.  She modestly declined his offer.  “Royal family needs a much more learned person than I am, “ The king, however, refused her declination, saying, “Madam, I wish you top accept the position because you are an honest, good woman.  I can employ others who are possibly better prepared than you, but I cannot buy integrity and honesty.”

Every Idle Word is Important to God