Why should people be honest?
The reason why a person is lying can speak to that question.
As more people begin learning about Christian morality again, some will ask what it matters if a person lies as long as they can get away with it. The reason why a person is lying can speak to that question. For example, if a person lies to someone because they don’t care if the other person finds out the right information, that shows a lack of care for other people. Even if that other person doesn’t find out the wrong information was given to them intentionally, the person who lied lives with the consequence of devaluing other human beings in their mind and heart.
There are reasons not to tell the truth, however. If someone asks a friend what they think of a story they had poured hours into, it wouldn’t be right for the the friend to hurtfully say it was awful as a gut reaction. As it has been written, this is because honesty is also connected to tact and kindness as an integral part of truth. That is not to say that a person needs to be honest at times about difficult matters, but it isn’t right to say whatever comes to mind when it’s hurtful to others either.
As with other Christian values, being honest is not just a rule to follow. It is connected to a healthy and enlightened way of living that helps Christians and others lead better lives. A person who is honest with others values others in their mind and heart because their lives matter.