Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully. If there is anything we learned from the recent financial crisis is that there appears to be no honesty at any level of leadership. Men have perverted the definition of honesty by replacing "truth" with "sanitized facts". Truth contains revelation, facts may not. Leaders use double speak to tickle the ears of the listener and utilize the deep imbedded fear of appearing stupid to restrain the listener from asking for clarification to what he or she just heard. For example, Alan Greenspan was giving a report to Congress and was known for his "double speak". He used the word "conundrum". Why didn’t he just use one of the words: puzzle, riddle, or problem? Isn’t communication about mutual understanding of the subject being conveyed? He did not inform Congress in an open and honest fashion but hid the truth hoping that the Fed’s theories would just work out.
What mankind needs now is honesty but most really don’t want it. What most people want are answers that are in line with their beliefs and motives, right or wrong. In Ezekiel chapter 14:4 "Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;", Our Heavenly Father reveals to us that He will allow the perpetuation of idols as a judgment. This is critical to our understanding and growth. The sub-prime mortgage crisis had people with idols on both sides of the transaction- the mortgage banker with money as an idol and the borrower with the bigger house as an idol. Ego was at the center of the problem. The ego promotes idols in one’s life. Be careful what you pray for. Check your heart.
The world leaders are trying to restore confidence in the market but confidence requires honesty. Scriptural Laws require equal weights and measures which are attributes of honesty. The current financial system was originally founded on equal weights and measures called "the gold standard" but removed it in 1971 because leaders believed it hindered their ability to control the system. That was the beginning of the current financial crisis. Once the creation of money had its "governor" removed, men couldn’t resist being dishonest. Dishonesty is so prevalent that it is difficult to naturally discern who is telling the truth. Society has allowed dishonesty to permeate every level of government and the current crisis has caused this reality to be exposed. With subtlety Hank Paulson wanted no judicial review of the bailout participants. Why? He knew that regulators would expose the magnitude of dishonesty inherent in the system. Investment banks used dishonesty and deception to spread toxic paper around the globe.
There is a dramatic shift coming. In Isa 28:17 "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." we are told that hail (truth) shall expose the lies. Honesty is coming soon!