O Lord, would you make me an honest man ?
Would you help me to see me only as I am ?
A poor frightened child always tryin' to withstand
The temptation to be less than an honest man.
My friends they all tell me I've got a lot on the ball
They're just liftin' me up, but inevitably I fall
Into thinking I'm something special, forgetting who I am
Lord, without you, I'm less than an honest man
Bridge
Lord, I'm lost without your goodness in my heart
And I'm fooled so easily whenever we're apart
Lord, it's me who puts the distance between your heart and mine
When I know a branch will not bear fruit
Separated from the vine.
O Lord, would you make me an honest man ?
Would you help me to listen only to your command ?
And not to the voice that tells me
I'm just doing the best I can
Cause the best I can do is less than an honest man.
Less Than an Honest Man
Less Than an Honest Man Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Buddy Greene's song "Less Than an Honest Man" presents a profound spiritual self-examination, articulated as a heartfelt prayer. The opening lines establish the central theme: a plea for divine help to achieve true honesty, not merely in outward actions but in inward self-perception. The singer asks God to help him see himself accurately, acknowledging a state of vulnerability and fear beneath any external facade. This raw admission immediately sets a tone of humility and dependence on a higher power for genuine integrity.
The narrative continues by addressing the deceptive nature of external validation. The singer recounts how friends offer praise, stating he has "a lot on the ball," but recognizes this praise can easily lead to a fall into pride, causing him to forget his true identity. This self-awareness highlights the spiritual danger of relying on human opinion rather than divine perspective. The crucial realization is articulated plainly: without God, any human effort towards honesty falls short, resulting in a state of being "less than an honest man."
The bridge serves as a powerful reflection on spiritual connection and separation. It declares a state of being lost without God's goodness and easily deceived when distance is created. The singer takes responsibility for this separation, stating "it's me who puts the distance between your heart and mine." This confession leads to a potent biblical metaphor, recognizing that a branch cannot bear fruit when separated from the vine. This imagery clearly illustrates the dependence on a divine source for spiritual life, fruitfulness, and the ability to live truthfully. The song video featuring this honest reflection was released on May 12, 2017.
The final verse returns to the initial plea, expanding it to include a desire to listen solely to God's command, rejecting internal voices that offer excuses like "I'm just doing the best I can." This highlights a recognition that human "best" effort, when measured against a divine standard, is insufficient to achieve true honesty and righteousness. The song concludes by reinforcing the message that genuine honesty and integrity are not achievable through self-will or human striving alone but require active, transformative intervention and guidance from God.
Several scriptural themes resonate throughout the lyrics. The core concept of dependence on God for spiritual life and fruitfulness is a direct parallel to Jesus' teaching in John 15:5, where He states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." The acknowledgment of human frailty and the inability to achieve righteousness through personal effort aligns with passages like Isaiah 64:6, which describes human righteous acts as "filthy rags," and Romans 7:18, where Paul confesses, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in my sinful nature, because although I have the desire to do what is good, I cannot carry it out." The prayer for God to make one honest and to see oneself accurately reflects the need for divine transformation and humility found in scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 5:17 and James 4:10. The struggle against temptation and deception mentioned in the lyrics touches upon themes found in 1 Peter 5:8 and Ephesians 6:12.
Ultimately, "Less Than an Honest Man" is an inspirational anthem of humility, vulnerability, and absolute dependence on God for true spiritual integrity. It moves beyond a superficial understanding of honesty to a deep, internal transformation sought through prayer and reliance on divine grace. The song encourages listeners to examine their own lives, recognize their limitations, and turn to God as the source of genuine truth and uprightness. It serves as a reminder that human efforts, while important, are perfected and made truly honest only when surrendered to and empowered by God's presence and guidance.
