Honestidade
A honestidade é virtude cristã fundamental. Deus é Deus de verdade e nos chama a viver com integridade, transparência e retidão em todos os nossos relacionamentos e negócios.
Integridade diante de Deus
O Senhor abomina a balança falsa, mas o peso justo é seu prazer. A integridade dos justos os guia pelos caminhos retos.
A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord,
But an accurate scale is His delight. [Lev 19:35, 36; Prov 16:11]
The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]
And integrity and every good path.
To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed]. [1 Sam 15:22; Prov 15:8; Is 1:11; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:7, 8]
Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].
But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Praticar a honestidade
Falai a verdade, pagai o que deveis, não negueis ao próximo o bem. A honestidade prática é testemunho do evangelho.
Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices,
Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.
For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.
Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. [Prov 20:22]
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients],
When it is in your power to do it. [Rom 13:7; Gal 6:10]
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16]
Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
Confissão e transparência
Confessai as vossas ofensas uns aos outros. Quem confessa e deixa o pecado encontra misericórdia e restauração.
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. [Ps 32:3, 5; 1 John 1:8-10]
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
But above all, my fellow believers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be [a truthful] yes, and your no be [a truthful] no, so that you may not fall under judgment. [Matt 5:34-37]
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth;
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].
Coração puro
Bem-aventurados os puros de coração, porque verão a Deus. A honestidade começa no interior e se manifesta nas ações.
"Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. [Ps 24:3, 4]
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;
He conducts his affairs with justice. [Ps 37:26; Luke 6:35; Col 4:5]
Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
"Now no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a container [to hide it], or puts it under a bed; instead, he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. [Matt 5:15; Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33]
An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right,
But a false witness utters deceit [in court].
A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9]