Dishonesty and God’s nature

Dishonesty is contrary to the will and nature of God

Numbers 23:19 NKJV

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

See also 1 Sa 15:29; Ro 3:4; Tt 1:2

Dishonesty, like sin, is of satanic origin

John 8:44 NKJV

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

See also Ge 3:1–5

God’s hatred of dishonesty

Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

See also Ps 5:4–6; Pr 6:16–17; Is 59:1–4; Is 59:12–15

Kinds of dishonesty

In business deals

Hosea 12:7 NKJV

“A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.

See also Dt 25:13–16; Pr 20:14; Am 8:5; Mic 6:10

In not paying debts

Psalm 37:21 NKJV

The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

See also Jas 5:4

In exploiting the poor

Ezekiel 22:29 NKJV

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

See also Job 24:2–11; Is 32:7; Je 22:13

God’s judgment on dishonesty

God’s denunciation of dishonesty in general

Hosea 4:1–2 NKJV

Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery, They break all restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed.

See also Le 19:15; Je 7:8–10; 1 Th 4:6

The dishonesty of liars and false witnesses

Pr 19:9; Ac 5:1–10

See also Dt 19:16–19; Jos 7:10–12 regarding Achan’s sin; 2 Ki 5:19–27; Ps 5:6; Is 29:20–21; Je 9:4–9; Re 21:8

The dishonesty of false prophets and teachers

Je 14:14–15; 2 Pe 2:1–3; Is 9:14–15; Je 28:15–16; Eze 13:1–23; Zec 10:2–3; 1 Ti 4:1–2

God’s demands for making amends for dishonesty

Le 6:1–7; Lk 3:12–14 This demonstrated that their repentance was genuine; Lk 19:8 the result of encountering Jesus Christ; Lk 16:1–12 Jesus Christ was not commending the steward’s dishonesty but his shrewdness.