Skip to main content

Before and After, Part 4: From Lying to Truth-Telling

 

Before and After, Part 4: From Lying to Truth-Telling (Ephesians 4:26) 

"Wherefore putting away lying, let every person speak truth to their neighbors: for we are members one of another."  Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭26 KSB‬‬

   In Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul shows us the incredible transformation Christ brings into our lives. He moves us from blindness to sight, from ignorance to understanding, from darkness to light, from unholiness to holiness, from unrighteousness to righteousness. Through metaphors and spiritual contrasts, Paul paints a vivid picture of our journey in Christ from lust to love, from greed to gratefulness. Then, Paul gets very specific, almost as if giving us a spiritual checklist to measure our growth in Christ. One of the clearest signs of transformation is moving from lying to truth-telling. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and when we walk in the Spirit, we are empowered to be open, honest, and transparent first with ourselves. Until you can tell yourself the truth, you cannot consistently speak truth to others.

Close-up of two people shaking hands, representing honesty and trust.

   Lying is rooted in fear, but God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind. Fear whispers, “If I tell the truth, I won’t be loved. I’ll be rejected. I’ll lose my job. They will leave me.” But truth always surfaces. It’s better to be the one who speaks it. Jesus declared, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” The truth sets everyone free, yourself included. The root of truth is love, and perfect love casts out all fear. The more you grow in Christ, the more fearless and truthful you become. Paul also says transformation takes us from stealing to giving: “Let the one who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to those in need.” Growth in Christ turns selfishness into generosity. We move from tipping God to giving offerings, from offerings to tithing, from tithing to giving first fruits. We stop robbing God, ourselves, and others and start giving of our time, talents, and treasure. As Jesus promised, “Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”

   Finally, Paul reminds us that transformation moves us from wrath to resolution. Fits of rage often come from unresolved issues, things swept under the rug and left to fester. Without honest conversations and healthy confrontation, hurt builds up until it explodes. But in Christ, we learn to resolve conflicts quickly not dragging them from day to day, week to week, or year to year. We live free from the weight of unresolved anger, present in the moment, walking in peace. Our journey in Christ is a journey of constant transformation: from lying to truth-telling, from stealing to giving, from wrath to resolution. Each step draws us closer to the image of Christ and to the freedom that only He can give.

📖 Reflection: Who is the most challenging person for you to tell the truth to, and why?

💡 Action Step: Ask God for courage to speak truth in love this week, and intentionally choose honesty in a situation where fear might tempt you to hide it.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  Why Me? God’s Glory (Romans 8:18) Why? That's a question often in our Souls. Why is this happening to me? Why am I having this experience? Why am I facing this health challenge? There's an answer! Why am I having these relationship challenges? There’s an answer, and it’s the same one. Why am I having this financial challenge? There’s an answer! There’s an answer to every question in your Soul, and the answer is glory. The reason for every experience in your life is so that God can get the glory. The purpose of all our challenges is not to bring us down but to transform us and bring glory to God. Why am I having this test, this trial, this tribulation? So God can get the glory. Why am I experiencing this persecution, this headache, this pain? So, God can get the glory. Why am I witnessing this miracle, sign, or wonder? So, God can get the glory. Why am I having this challenge in my local assembly, in my ministry, in my business, and in my organization? So God can get the...
Post a Comment
Read more
The Sacred Sunday Posture:  Kneeling “ A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees; if you are willing, you can make me clean (Mark 1:40).” In addition to bowing your heads and closing your eyes, many people learn to “get on your knees and pray.” Often, it’s at night before going to sleep. Parents instruct their children to kneel on the side of the bed and say their prayers. Perhaps you have fond memories of kneeling and reciting the Lord’s Prayer or the 23 rd Psalm. Or maybe you were taught, like me, “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake. I pray the Lord, my soul, to take. God bless mommy, daddy...” Kneeling is a physical way to revere God as your Creator and remember that God is your Source. “Know that it is the Lord, who is God. It is he that has made us and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).” Without reverencing and ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where Is the Love? Learning to Recognize God's Presence Through Galatians 5

  Where Is the Love?    One of my favorite duets is by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack: "Where Is the Love?" It asks, "Where is the love that you said you would give to me?" It's a timeless question and one that’s just as spiritually relevant today.    In Galatians 5 , Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He helps believers understand how to discern what’s truly of God. And here's the spiritual compass: love is God's signature . "And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."   Galatians 5:21 (KSB)    Whatever you do whether it’s cooking a meal or making a major decision ask yourself: "Where is the love?" Is love your motive? Is love present in your tone, your actions, your intentions?  Paul’s letter urges us to determine whether we are operati...
Post a Comment
Read more