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Speak the Truth (Ephesians 4:25)

Scott Kercheville
04/24/16 - Sun AM

We were dead from imitating the walk of the Gentiles, but we have been made alive and joined to God’s family. Now, Paul insists - we must no longer walk as the Gentiles do. Their walk is futile, directionless, and empty. They have hardened their hearts and become ignorant. When we walk like everyone else, we will not be able to take hold of what sin promises us and we will alienate ourselves from the life of God. This is not what we learned in Christ. When we were taught Christ, we learned to put off the old self, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and to put on the new self. In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul gives five exhortations which each follow this pattern of transformation we learned in Christ. Paul will teach us what to put off, what to put on, and give us a mind-renewing motivator to help us succeed in putting off and putting on. Today, we will focus on Paul’s first exhortation in Ephesians 4:25.

• PUT OFF: Falsehood
  • Falsehood: anything which seeks to give someone a false perception of reality.
  • We often lie because we are deceived by desires for esteem, safety, or gain (cf. 4:22).
  • Matthew 21:25-27 -- the religious leaders essentially said, "Never mind to the truth, what will help us avoid the most loss of shame."
• PUT ON: Speak the Truth
  • From Zechariah 8:6 -- You used to be a curse, now God is making you a blessing, so speak the truth with your neighbor.
  • Don't Ask: "How can I say this in a way that is not dishonest?"
  • Ask: "What is the truth? How can I speak this truth in a loving, kind way?"
• BE RENEWED: We Are Members of One Another
• Conclusion: Why Address Falsehood First?
  • God hates lying (Prov. 21:16-19)
  • Lying will not satisfy us (Prov. 20:7, 21:6)
  • Falsehood is a cornerstone supporting the lives of hardened sinners