The New You Puts on Truth

By Ken Brown | February 17, 2023

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul moves from doctrine to application, beginning in chapter four. After an exquisite detailing of our position in Christ in the first three chapters the focus shifts to how those who are in Christ are to demonstrate the reality of their new life in Him, having put off the old clothes of the old man, put on the new clothes of the new man, and increasingly adorning ourselves with thoughts and words and deeds appropriate to who we now are. In ensuing articles I will examine what this passage says about the need to consistently wear truth, peace, generosity, grace, love, and purity.

The People of Truth

Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25)

Notice that we “put off” falsehood and we also “speak truthfully.” Those may seem to be the same, but if you do the one you’ve not automatically done the other. One can avoid outright lies and still elide the truth. It is not enough to technically avoid saying what is false, we must intentionally and assuredly speak the truth. For example, I once had a conversation recounted to me in which the speaker (mis)represented the words of another, unnamed church leader as saying, “Cliques in the church are good; you should find one yourself.” Yikes. Really? I learned later that (of course) this was not an accurate rendering of the conversation and instead the leader was attempting to explain the circumstances of those being accused to put the best interpretation on their actions (which is another biblical requirement — “Love believes all things” — i.e., love believes the best unless there is proof to the contrary, 1 Corinthians 13:7). The leader also sought to encourage the accuser to get more involved in the life of the body, NOT “find your own clique.”

Truth befits the Christian, and falsehood is unbecoming of her. After saying that oaths should not be necessary for the Christian Jesus concluded with, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’” (Matthew 5:33-37). Those who know us should be able to trust our words as true without additional support. It has been said that “He who cannot be believed without swearing by God, is already condemned.” Private oaths to those who know us should be completely unnecessary.1

The reason for this command is, “we are all members of one body.” “‘A lie is a stab into the very vitals of the Body of Christ.’ For fellowship is built on trust, and trust is built on truth. So, falsehood undermines fellowship, while truth strengthens it.”2

The Scope of Truth

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) explains in detail what is required for obedience to God’s command against bearing “false witness”:

Question 112: What is required in the ninth commandment?

That I bear false witness against no man, [twist] no one’s words; that I be no backbiter [speak spitefully about someone], or slanderer; that I do not judge, or join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard of [that is, without hearing his side of the story]; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon myself the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judicial and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it; and that, as much as I am able, I defend and promote the honor and reputation of my neighbor.

Notice the prohibition against “twisting words,” and the need to avoid “all sorts of lies and deceit.” These take into account the fact that lying comes in various forms. Author Lou Priolo, in his helpful booklet, Deception: Letting Go of Lying lists several ways we can undermine truth:

  • An Outright Lie
  • Insinuation
  • Concealment
  • Blame-shifting
  • Pleading Ignorance
  • Empty Promises

Priolo also provides guidelines for becoming truthful:

  • Make Your Calling and Election Sure [so that you are a child of the God of truth rather than of the ‘father of lies’]
  • Identify Your Style of Lying
  • Make It Your Goal to be Truthful
  • Confess
  • Earn Back Trust
  • Identify Your Idols [that motivate you to lie]
  • Seek Accountability

And I would add, be a champion for truth by refusing to imbibe unproven claims, whether in person or online, and challenging those whenever possible. Winston Churchill is said to have remarked, “A lie can go halfway around the world before the truth gets its trousers on.” By refusing to allow falsehood to spread, especially in a day of instant communication, you protect many others from harm. Most important, you resemble your Lord into whose image you are being remade and thereby represent His true reflection.

Ken Brown is the pastor of Community Bible Church in Trenton, MI. We republish his article by permission.

  1. But what about public oaths? When we go into a court room we are asked to “solemnly swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” (BTW, I’m told the addition of ‘solemnly affirm’ is due to this passage, and the fear of some that they’d be violating what Jesus commanded if they take an oath in court). I don’t think it’s the case that Jesus is prohibiting public oath-taking. We can take oaths on occasions when those who hear us need it, SINCE THEY DON’T KNOW US AND, because we live in a fallen world, ASSUME FALSEHOOD. [↩]
  2. John Stott, The Bible Speaks Today, p. 185. [↩]
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