Monday, May 15, 2023
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Paul had just told the believers in Ephesus to let the Holy Spirit renew their thoughts and hearts as they sought to live their new life in Christ. [1] This commitment to the Spirit-led life leads to changes in behavior. More than just feeling good inside, the new life modeled after Jesus must change how we live, or we are foolishly wasting our time and failing to build our lives on any solid spiritual foundation. [2]
This new life shows itself by telling the truth to others. We refuse to play games with one another because we are part of the same body, the body of Christ. We rely on each other and need each other to be whole and accomplish what Jesus has for us to do. There is no time to lie to make ourselves look better, hide the truth from another brother or sister in Christ, or hedge on the truth to avoid a difficult conversation. We love each other enough to speak the truth in love. [3]
How does refusing to speak lies and committing to telling the truth most impact you? How will this principle change your life and the life of your church family if you all choose to live this way? Lovingly telling the truth should also be practiced with those outside our family in Jesus. We are seeking to reach them with the good news of Jesus and demonstrate to them the loving way Jesus' followers treat each other — with gentleness and respect, [4] careful not to waste any opportunity to bless those who need to know the love of Jesus. [5]
Almighty God, I know you want me to tell the truth to all people, but to do so by determining the true, appropriate, and kind way to speak that truth. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me appropriately flavor, lovingly present, and respectfully speak my words to others. Help me, O Spirit of the living God, make my speech more about what is best for those who listen than what makes me look good. Please help me speak the truth without exaggeration, bragging, or hedging on the truth. Most of all, dear Father, I want my words to be spoken in love and to work for redemption and healing in the lives of those who hear me. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.
'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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