"Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another"(Eph 4:25)

Jesus Christ demands change. He shouts it from the hilltops, His apostles continually declare it, and every page of His word rings with its urgency. With our hearts made tender by the picture of a sinless Savior suffering for us, we eagerly turn to Him in submission to learn what He expects of us. It is in this spirit that Ephesians 4 is required reading for each new convert, and a continual review for every disciple. Paul warns that those bought with Christ's blood "should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk"(Eph 4:17). Instead he urges "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts"(Eph 4:22) and instead "put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness"(Eph 4:24). Change is expected, and not in vague generalities or well-meaning mantras. In this practical way we are ordered, "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another"(Eph 4:25). Tell the truth!

"Putting away lying" is a simple way of describing a difficult process. Lying, though frowned upon in principle in our world, is incredibly common. Lies to save money, or to spare someone's feelings, or to save us from getting into trouble are hurriedly excused by our world. It is not surprising, then, that upon coming to Christ some deeply ingrained habits have been formed that must be acknowledged and uprooted. Paul told the Colossians, "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds"(Col 3:9) in which he directly states that this is part of the world's behavior God wants overhauled in the lives of His people. We must recognize this behavior in all its forms-from tax fraud to "little white lies"-and make a solemn commitment not to lie anymore. Some of the advantages we would have gained from lying, like avoiding an awkward situation or a few extra dollars, we must be willing to forgo because our Master forbids it. "Putting away lying" includes building strength for time of temptation and doing our best to admit and correct the times we falter under pressure. It is not an easy fix, or an instant process, but to follow Jesus means "putting away lying".

But more than just "putting away lying," Paul instructs us to also "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor"(Eph 4:25). This quotation is from Zechariah 8:16, where it is used to describe an ideal state of God's people. God wants His people not just to avoid lying, but to be fully committed to truth in all its forms. It is possible to, without outright lying, misrepresent the truth to the point that others are misled. Joseph's brothers did not lie to their father, but their silence led their father to believe something they all knew to be false (Genesis 37:31-36). How many years did they sit idly by, watching their father grieve for a son they knew to be alive? They did not lie, but they also did not speak truth with their neighbor! God's people should be passionate about truth, and unwilling to purposefully let others be deceived. Perhaps there are times when we choose not to tell what we know (as in speaking evil, Titus 3:2), but it must never be for the purpose of deliberately misleading and obscuring the truth. Speaking the truth extends further to other areas like keeping our word and being upfront in business, but the principle is simple: More than just not lying, God says "Tell the truth!"

Finally, Paul gives a reason for this dramatic change in this area of our lives: "for we are members of one another"(Eph 4:25). Our lies hurt people! When others count on us to know the truth or depend on our word holding true, our lies cause doubt, distrust, and pain for them. Paul reminds us that in the body of Christ, we are members of one another, and our brethren should be able to trust us! "Members of one another" stresses our interdependence, which is attacked by lies and mistrust among brethren. Already we struggle to live amongst a world full of untrustworthy, self-seeking turncoats. How tragic to find some in Christ's body! Further, we are told that love "thinks no evil" and "believes all things"(1 Cor 13:5, 7). What a horrible thing to taint the brotherly love and natural trust within Christ's body and cause our brethren to "think evil" and believe "nothing" we say! Lies might seem to be victimless, but Paul reminds us that our lies hurt ourselves, Christ, and Christ's body. Tell the truth!

Jesus Christ demands change! He has the right to direct us, and we cannot claim to love or follow Him while ignoring His stated will for us. Are there people you need to apologize to for lying or deceiving? Are there tax returns to amend, funds to be returned, or clarifications that need to be made? "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another"(Eph 4:25). Put away the old man of sin! Tell the truth! ___Jacob Hudgins