TeaTime Devotional September 30th, 2025

Written By:  Nancy T. Jordan

Put Away Your Lies

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

Testify:

As long as I can remember from childhood, I always was a person who HATES liars.  I can remember throughout my life on several occasions being lied on and looked at sideways because I was falsely accused, despite me attempting to defend myself.  In my adulthood I find myself having zero tolerance of a liar, regardless of who you are.   Just recently over a year ago, I found myself in a situation in which I was being looked at differently because of someone else's evil doing. It was an awkward situation, and I spoke up several times attempting to get to the bottom of the matter.  When things began to unfold and spiral out of control, I instantly removed my access card from the problem.  Considering many came forward with receipts of "TRUTH", due to hidden agendas and promises/deals that were made the lies were never addressed and handled.  

Edify: 

This passage in Ephesians 4:25 tells us that Apostle Paul is instructing believers to "put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body".  This is encouragement for Christians to abandon the old way of living through lies and to embrace a new life of truthfulness.  This behavior is an essential aspect of the new life experienced in Christ, and a necessary component of maintaining unity within the church body.  The reason for these instructions is that all believers are part of one body in Christ, and therefore, truthfulness is vital for maintaining that unity.  We as believers are commanded to speak honestly with one another and discard the former lifestyle of dishonesty.  Psalm 15:2-5 describes a person of integrity who speaks the truth in their heart and does not slander with their tongue.  The ninth commandment tells us not to bear false witness, which is another wording of thou shall not lie.

Apply:

As we know Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.  Just like when you hear the phrase, "My word is Bond", it is referred to a person's spoken promise of commitment that will be kept, and it's a verbal agreement signifying integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness.  Regardless of the connection, relationship, or the power of the individual not speaking truth, be the person God describes that can dwell in his presence.  Not the one described in Psalms 101:7, "He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."