Do You Have An Honest Face?

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

During the 1858 Senate race, Stephen Douglas accused Abraham Lincoln of being two-faced. Quick thinking in his reply, Lincoln said, “If I had another face to wear, do you really think I would be wearing this one?”

While certainly some faces are more “beauty challenged” than others, the charge Douglas was attempting to make was that Honest Abe wasn’t so honest.

Can a person’s honesty be seen in the face? Can you tell just by looking at a person if they are telling the truth or not? Probably not.

Several years ago while living in the Atlanta area my wife went to buy some groceries. When she got ready to write her check, the cashier asked her, “Do you have an Honest Face?” My wife didn’t really know how to react. Of course, she was honest. But what kind of a question is that to ask of a customer?

As it turns out, the Honest Face was a new bank issued card that allowed the stores to know that the person’s checks were good. In that era before ATM machines and computer access to validate balances, the Honest Face system was used to show that the person was trustworthy in that transaction.

But if we can’t really tell honesty by our outward appearance, how can we tell if a person is honest?

Lying is so commonplace in our society that many people lie and don’t give it a second thought. Studies show that cheating and lying are widespread in our schools and universities. Honesty is certainly not the preferred policy in some circles.

Lie detectors are machines that are designed to register variations in a person’s body when a lie is told. But if the person accepts lying as a part of their character, then what variation will be registered? I’ve been in the presence of some people who were extremely convincing in their lies. They lied naturally, that is, the lies became a part of their being.

Listen to Solomon’s wise words in Proverbs 17:4. “An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.” And again in Proverbs 19:22. “What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.” Liars are never good.

But lies are not always found in the words we use. Our actions also give testimony of us. John writes in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Love God, hate brother = liar.

Friends, our honesty in all aspects of life is essential in our quest to live righteously for God. Yes, we may occasionally miss the mark and lie or deceive, but let us never allow this to be willful or to remain in our lives.

In Revelation 21:8, John places liars in unique and serious company in the following. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Abraham Lincoln was apparently aware that his face was not really attractive. And I love that line he used. “If I had two faces, would I be wearing this one?”

We sometimes are faced with the same question. Which face will I wear today? What attitude will I project on those around me this week? Will I be a hypocrite in my daily life, or will I strive to become more honest and draw the same good from others?

Madame Marie Jeanne Roland is credited with the saying, “If the world despises hypocrites, what must be the estimate of them in heaven?” How true that is! Solomon writes in Proverbs 21:6, “Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” Lying, deceit and hypocrisy have no place in the Christian life. God raised us up into a new life, free from our old man of sin. Let’s not be tempted to drag out that old face ever again!

In Our Daily Walk today may we realize that others can see us not only for what we are but also for what we are not. May we seek to always live honestly and be known for our honest lives as well as our honest faces.

Our thought for the day: “There are no degrees of honesty; either you are honest or you are not.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.