Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Walking through Ephesians

Walking through Ephesians - Day 91

versebyverse | February 14, 2008 21:16

Thought: To me, there is a crying need for truthfulness and honesty between people in our world today.

Question: Do I speak truth to all those near at hand --"neighbors"?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25 (NIV): "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body."

The theme in this chapter is the unity of believers. We've seen how that unity will also be enhanced by the putting off of the old, sinful nature and the putting on of the new, Christ-like nature. Our unity is made possible by Christ and is perfected by drawing closer to Christ all the time.

Here we see that the new man, the Christ-like nature, is characterized by truth and truthful speaking. (We saw this also in verse 21). Now Paul says that because of all these things we as believers "must put off falsehood". To me, this means more than simply telling the truth when asked. To me it means living with nothing to hide. They say that true character is what we are when we're all alone. What would others see if they could watch us when we're all alone? Are we hiding anything? To me, anything that must be hidden is something of "falsehood" and needs to be done away with. To live before others covering up the way we were when alone is deceitful and a demonstration of insincerety. Those to whom we relate, our "neighbors", must not be lived with in insincerety or falsehood. We must be open and honest, truthful and non-secretive to those we have relationship with. Why? Because we are "all members of one body." To lie or live a lie is against the body and its unity: it works to tear the body apart.

"Speak truthfully" tells us to use our lips correctly, to tell the truth when asked, yes; but to me it also means to admit my own sins and weaknesses humbly, rather than lie to cover them and appear good.

Notice that falsehood needs to be "put off". Apparently it exists with us naturally and is right there automatically. We need, however, to put it off. To put something off means I need to recognize it exists first of all, then agree that it ought to be removed from me, then follow through with that separation.

Prayer: Father, I long to be a truthful child: to You and to all others at hand. Help me by Your Spirit to put away falsehood. Amen.