City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word: Ephesian 4:25 (NKJV)

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Reflection

“Speak truth.” That is what Paul is telling the Ephesian Christians to do in this verse. It is a command that is as profound as it is simple. It means speaking honestly, i.e., speaking true facts to others, but it also means speaking Truth, i.e. having the courage to speak spiritual truth to others even if when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or may ruffle feathers. In other words, it means both speaking truthfully and speaking Truth. 

Jesus is Truth. John 14:6. He is a speaker of Truth, so much so that even those who would try to trap him acknowledged Jesus’ truth-telling. Matthew 22:15-22. Jesus spoke Truth even at the risk of His life. John 8:40.

On the other hand, Satan is a liar. He is the father of lies, and when he lies he does so from his own character because there is no truth in him. John 8:44. What Jesus is to the truth, Satan is to the lie.

Then there is unredeemed man, who waffles between truth and lies, exaggerating the former or taking from the latter, as it benefits him. He is made is in the image of God but corrupted with the character of Satan. He is Pontius Pilate, who asks, “What is truth?” John 18:38. He sees truth as something to be manipulated to his advantage or ignored at his discretion. 

But when one is born again, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Here, Paul is speaking to such people, specifically those living in Ephesus who had become new creatures, and he is encouraging them to be conformed to the truth-telling image of Christ.

Application

What is your relationship to the truth? Are you more like Pilate or Jesus? If you are believer, you are called to be conformed to the image of Jesus and should be known as both a truth-teller and one who speaks Truth.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be one who only speaks the truth, so I can be like you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.