Divine Briefing ...
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying” (Romans 13:13).
The King James Version translates the way we should walk as “honestly” here, but other translations use the words “seemingly” or “becomingly.” In 1 Corinthians 14:40, this same word is translated “decently.” “Let all things be done decently and in order.” In both verses, Paul emphasized the importance of a believer’s walk.
The phrase "as in the day" highlights the importance of behaving as if all our actions will be seen by someone. People tend to live decently during the daytime, when everything they do is out in the open. Dishonest and wicked deeds are often done at night after dark.
The Apostle Paul, a man of honesty, said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27). Paul knew he would disqualify himself for ministry if he did not walk decently and honestly at all times.
If someone asks you to do something that is underhanded or sneaky, walk away. If you think about lying or doing something that is not right, rethink it. You never know who is watching. People who are not yet saved are more inclined to watch what we do than what we say.
Looks Like ...
Four students arrived late to take a test. "And what is your excuse?" inquired the teacher.
"We had a flat tire," they all said in unison.
Without getting upset, the teacher asked the students to take their seats. "The test is just one question," said the teacher. "Which tire went flat?"
Do you think all the students gave the same answer? Unfortunately, lying comes quite easily for many people. That is why the writer of Proverbs wrote, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment" (Proverbs 12:19).
The book The Day America Told the Truth gives some interesting statistics about the Americans' habit of lying. Those who were surveyed admitted ...
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91 percent lie routinely about trivial things.
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36 percent lie about important matters.
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86 percent lie regularly to parents.
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75 percent lie to friends.
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73 percent lie to siblings.
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69 percent lie to spouses.
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32 percent believe that lying is often necessary.