CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE IN CHRIST MINISTRIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
Ephesians 4:25
Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) begins with the word “Therefore” and it refers to what we have previously read leading up to this point and is an introduction to the instruction that follows, which is to put away lying/do not be misleading to one another.
You may notice that Paul does not speak of “lying” in the verses leading up to this passage, or does he? Ephesians 4:14 speaks of “the trickery of men,” and “cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Ephesians 4:18 states, “having their understanding darkened, being alienated.” Ephesians 4:19 speaks of those who “have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:22 declares, “the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”
All these things cannot exist without being accompanied by deceit or “lying.” The Apostle Paul sums it all up by saying in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, putting away lying,” and then quotes Zechariah 8:16 declaring, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.”
Paul ends this verse by teaching, “for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25). We can only build our fellowship together in “that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” as the Apostle Paul teaches early in this letter in Ephesians 1:12.
This is a command to stop lying to one another.
This is a command to speak truth as we are to be to the praise of God’s glory.
As tough as it may be sometimes, we all need to make a point to speak the truth. If we make a mistake, telling the truth may hurt a little, but it will not hurt nearly as bad as when we get caught lying about something.
As we strive to follow Christ, it is important to be honest with one another and not make attempts to “smear” one another to get a promotion or any kind of favor from others for whatever it is that we are doing. If we are striving to follow Christ, we should have no reason to lie to one another, but that we should always lift each other up–in Christ.
Dear Lord,
We all know that lying to one another only makes matters worse. Please help us to be honest with each other and have the humility to admit our faults as we strive to grow in our relationship with each other and with You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.