Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25
A man was adept at beating his personal traffic tickets by lying. When he appeared before various judges in court, he would tell the same tale: “I broke up with my girlfriend and she took my car without my knowledge.” In addition, he had been repeatedly reprimanded for misconduct while on the job. Prosecutors finally charged him with four counts of perjury and five counts of forgery for allegedly lying to judges under oath and providing fictitious police reports. For this man, lying had become a lifelong habit.
In contrast, the apostle Paul said that telling the truth is a vital habit for believers in Jesus to live out. He reminded the Ephesians that they’d put away their old way of living through surrendering their lives to Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). Now, they needed to live like the new people they’d become, incorporating specific actions into their lives. One such action was something to cease—“put off falsehood”—and the other action something to practice—“speak truthfully to your neighbor” (4:25). Because it protected the unity of the church, the Ephesians were to always have their words and actions be about “building others up” (v. 29).
As the Holy Spirit helps us (vv. 3-4), believers in Jesus can strive for truth in their words and actions. Then the church will be unified, and God will be honored.
Ephesians 4:22-29
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
INSIGHT
1. What will help you consistently tell the truth?
2. How do your words reflect new life in Christ?
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote from prison (6:20) to a community of primarily gentile believers in Jesus (3:1; 4:17). He described a great “mystery” being unveiled (3:3)—that through Christ, Jews and gentiles were being united into one multiethnic family, or body, of believers (v. 6). And the apostle urged believers in Jesus to remain rooted in His love (vv. 16-19). This meant they must continue to throw off their old way of life and the lies of pagan culture. Instead, they were called to put on the “new self,” for God had created them to be “like [Him] in true righteousness and holiness” (4:24). “You were once darkness,” Paul emphasized, “but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” (5:8-9).
PRAYER
Dear God, please help me to put away falsehood and clothe myself in Your truth. In Jesus name I pray and believe. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 4:22-29 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
