Together in Christ: 'Speak the Truth in Love' — Ephesians 4:25

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

— Ephesians 4:25 NLT

Key Thought

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]

[1] Ephesians 4:23-24.
[2] Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22-25.
[3] Ephesians 4:15.
[4] 1 Peter 3:14-16.
[5] Colossians 4:5-6.

Today's Prayer

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.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-32
  • James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:12-27

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Will Not be Shaken' (Ps. 62:5-7)
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Jesus Regularly Gathered with God's People'
"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, and stories about him spread all through the area. He began to teach in their synagogues,...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A God of Comfort' (2 Co. 1:3-11)
"Dear Father, great and gentle one, Blessed are you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are the Father of mercies and the God of all..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'ASK!'
"Dear Child of God, James, my half brother, hit the nail on the head when he taught about why My people lack so many of the simplest and yet most..."

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 4:25 NLT — So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

About This Devotional

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.

More Together in Christ