Lying vs. Truth
Wednesday’s Verse:
From Ephesians 4:25 ESV
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
As I was walking into my cancer treatment yesterday morning at the cancer center, someone approached me before I went into treatment and asked me if it was OK for her to lie to her husband. The details aren’t necessary, but she finds herself in a difficult situation.
No one should lie. And yet all of us lie at times. We don’t set out to do it either. We simply find ourselves not speaking the truth because we sense that being honest will hurt us. We lie to ourselves to avoid feeling bad about ourselves or a situation.
Paul is not gentle here. “Put away falsehood.” Don’t lessen it. Don’t manage it. Stop doing it. Lutherans hear that, and it lands at the heart of the Eighth Commandment: We are to fear and love God that we do not slander anyone with our words or gossip about others, but speak well of our neighbor and make everything known that may work to edify our brothers and sisters in the kindest way possible.
Lying matters here because Paul has already said that we belong to each other. The church is not an association of people. It is a body. When someone lies, the entire body suffers. Trust falters. Relationships become strained. The community is diminished.
Except that this verse is also about who you are in Christ. Paul begins the chapter telling us to put off the “old self” and to put on the “new self,” which is renewed in righteousness and true holiness. Lies flow from the “old self” who hides and tries to protect herself. Truth comes from the “new self,” who rests in Christ.
Truth matters because honesty often costs us. Lying feels easier. It maintains a reputation. Avoids trouble. Keeps the peace. But when we tell a lie, we gain something in the short term and sacrifice a relationship in the long term. Lies distance us from each other. Truth—even when it hurts—lays us bare with another and allows a real relationship to exist.
Of course, we have to say this: No amount of honesty will earn you the favor of God. We fail at managing that. We shade the truth. We say nothing when we should say something. We say things that aren’t completely honest, even when we express them. The law convicts us of this.
And then comes the gospel. Jesus Christ did not lie to save Himself. Even when truthful words meant He would be crucified, He spoke them. He bore the consequence of our sin—even our sins of the tongue. And where Christ’s righteousness is, there is your forgiveness from the lies you’ve told.
Because you have been forgiven in Christ, you don’t have to lie to earn your place with Him or His people. You are His already. Now you can tell the truth to your neighbor, not to prove anything, but because you are united to Christ and to each other.
Before you say something to someone, ask yourself: Is it true? Will it help? Will my neighbor be built up by these words? If not, keep quiet. If it is, say it in love. Grow up together.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
God of truth, forgive us for our sins of the tongue. For the ways we have spoken falsehood. Purify our hearts and help us to master our words such that we may speak honestly and encourage our brothers and sisters in love. For Your name’s sake we pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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