Honesty

NOV. 15, 1980, 5:52 AM
W. WILLOW, STUDY

We considered honesty several days ago, o son, in relation to the tax return matter. But it was just one consideration among several, so, I you can get your mind and spirit to cooperate we’ll consider honesty by itself this dark morning.

If you would suggest, as you might, that the commandment relating most to honesty could be restated as a more positive attitude and behavior, you would be right. I could hear you suggesting that “Thou shalt not bear false witness” be replaced by the more spiritual statement of command, “Thou shalt be honest in all matters and dealings.” That is the ideal for those who would serve Me and who would be identified as My people.

When you read the teaching on your tax problem you did ponder that matter, both for the present and the future. It seemed, simplistically, that the thing to do, for the future, is to keep complete, accurate records and then claim exactly what is legal and legitimate. If you are completely honest, you need not fear the tax collector. That would preclude being in the “game” of give and take. In that, you do not lie directly, but neither are you completely honest. You know you cannot participate in that actively. Just decide whether it is worth departures from honesty. Of course that will not be your decision unless you specifically make an issue of it.

Virtues can conflict with one another. For example, honesty and love can come out at cross purposes with one another. Love does not hurt another person, unless it is quite necessary for spiritual growth. But absolute honesty can hurt others, for no important growth purposes. So, while honesty is a virtue, to command it would put it in more conflict than necessary with the more important command to love others… yes, even if you don’t feel the emotion.

The command not to lie and the one not to steal encourage virtue indirectly, and are My best compromise. There should be few situations where you must really lie, even in love. If so, you must decide which is the more to spirit… yours and that of the other.