Honesty is Best, Honestly!

The other day, I was listening to a conversation where a debate was taking place about movie downloads from the Internet. On one side, it was said "Hollywood doesn't care about us, and they are rich, so why pay for the movie?". On the other side I heard "Consumers are what support the movie making industry, and if I want the movie, I will buy it."

So in topics like this I like to return to the Bible. Christians should always return to the Bible to gain their perspective. What does it say?

Romans 13:11-14 (Holy Bible, Geneva Version)
Rom 13:11 And that, considering the season, that it is now time that we should arise from sleep: for now is our salvation nearer, then when we believed it.
Rom 13:12 The night is past, and the day is at hand, let us therefore cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light,
Rom 13:13 So that we walk honestly, as in the day: not in gluttony, and drunkenness, neither in chambering and wantonness, nor in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it.

So, you may ask, what does this have to do with internet music and movie downloads?
I'll tell you. The passage has a key point in verse 13. We should walk honestly. If you are a Christian, and you have indeed put on the Christ armour, the armour of light, you will strive to walk honestly.

If indeed you are a Christian, who has received Christ in your heart, and you indeed have risen from spiritual sleepiness to wait for the coming day of the Lord, then you will strive to walk in honesty.

We must, as Christians, stop trying to determine what is right and wrong based on "circumstances" or "market conditions". The Apostle Paul told us nearly 2000 years ago to put on Jesus like armour, ignore the demands of fleshly sin, and walk in honesty.

So knowing this is a mark of the true Christian then, we return to our modern-day debate.

In this circumstance, which is the honest thing to do? Is it honest to pay for the movie through a legitimate downloading site? Or is it honest to download it through a piracy site for free? Let's think about it, movies cost money to make. If you want to be entertained, you pay for the entertainment. If no one paid for it, then there would simply be no more entertainment.

Did the creators of the movie intend to give it away or to sell it? If they intended to sell it, then what is the honest response for the consumer to make?

How about the cinemas? Which is the honest response... to pay for a ticket, or to sneak in unnoticed?

Take it away from movies for a moment; if you have a leaky pipe, and you hire a plumber to fix it, then which is the honest response? Should you pay him for his services (regardless of quality), or stiff him?

How about signing a rental lease? Should you pay the rent monthly as agreed, or should you sign the lease and then not pay rent? What is the honest thing to do?

This is going to make some people squirmy, but it must be brought to light: Honesty is a mark of Christianity. The mark on the forehead and hand of a Christian should be honest thinking, honest (and kindly) words, and honest actions.

Do we fail to be honest sometimes? Yes, of course! Human nature causes us to sin. But we can confess our sins to Jesus and repent and get back on course again! There is grace for those who make honesty their lifestyle, but sometimes fall short.

1John 1:9-10 (Geneva)
1Jn 1:9  If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Here, the Apostle John says that we need to acknowledge our sins (such as dishonesty) to Jesus and let Him cleanse us and forgive us. But note that John also says that to say we have never sinned is to be dishonest! We are striving to be honest in all we do, and the Lord is watching us and guiding us.
So I encourage you as a Christian to walk honestly and with all integrity, whether it be in purchasing movie downloads online, or in paying a plumber, or in acknowledging your sin to Jesus.

Honesty is a permanent mark of the Christian life... honestly!
Blessings
Pastor Curtis

If you want to hear my original song "Armour Of Light", based on the very same passage, Romans 13:11-14, and the topic of "Honesty" click the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLX19e16sd0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLE3FB29BA9D6FBA22