Honest Lifestyle
Can anything good come out of Leviticus?
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You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
Leviticus 19:11 (ESV)
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For about 15 years, I’ve read the Bible through each year.
Not perfectly; I’ve had times when I missed significant portions while struggling in my walk with Jesus. But my daily “quiet time” (time alone with God) includes the Bible-in-a-year plan.
Anyway, my most dreaded time of the year?
Reading through Leviticus.
If you’ve ever read it, you know. What makes this most bearable is that my Bible reading plan pairs Leviticus with Psalms, so my quiet time isn’t completely “dry.”
And yet …
Leviticus has some beautiful verses in it. Such as the second part of the Greatest Command (according to Jesus): Love your neighbor as yourself. And, of course, this verse about living an honest lifestyle.
It doesn’t mince words either.
Don’t steal, don’t deceive, don’t lie.
A lot of lies can be told while still technically telling the truth; you just angle it in such a way that the person perceives the lie you want them to see. Many marketers do this, bending their words and distorting the message. (As an occasional marketer, I hate this about my industry.)
God gives us a higher calling:
Live an honest lifestyle before others. Set an example of the transforming work that Christ has done within you.
Which is as much a message for me as it is for anyone else.
I hope you enjoy your day.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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