Stop Lying, Speak The Truth – Eph 4:25-27

[Eph 4:25-27; Zech 8:16-17]

Since you are now putting on the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (v.24), go ahead and get rid of lying to each other.

[4:25] Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. [4:26] “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, [4:27] nor give place to the devil.

Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, [continually] speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are one body.

The verb “speak” here indicates a continual action, a lifestyle of speaking truth.¹ Lies destroy fellowship with other believers. Paul reminds us that we are one body, members of one another. The truth edifies and builds our relationship in the body of Christ. We will be known by our love for one another, and trustworthy conversation.

Verse 25 is taken from Zechariah 8:16; where God reminded His people to be truthful and just in the courts.

Zech 8:16-17 (NASB) – ‘These are the things which you shall do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace at your gates. [17] ‘Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these things are what I hate,’ declares the LORD.”

God says, “I want fairness, and honesty. Everyone speak the truth to his neighbor, execute the judgment of truth, and peace in your gates (or, courts): And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love not perjury.” for all of these things God hates (Zech 8:16-17)! Don’t lie under oath – you have sworn to tell the truth.

We should pay attention to any list of things that God hates. I want to study this list carefully, make sure that I am doing the things that God tells me to do. Things that have to do with honesty, truth, peace, and not imagining evil against my neighbors.

We are to honor His name by not swearing falsely, and by loving our neighbors. Of course all the law is fulfilled in our conduct when we practice love (see, Rom 13:8-10; cf. Ps 37).

Fellowship with God and man is built on trust, falsehood undermines it.

I believe speaking truth also means speaking God’s Word concerning our position in Christ. Believing and speaking Bible truth such as, “…by His stripes I have been healed” (1Pet 2:24), rather than speaking the devil’s lies like, “Oh, I’m so sick….”

I believe Paul is telling us a whole lot more than to quit telling fibs. For instance, if I told you, “God wants me sick to teach me something,” then I have lied to you! If we belong to the truth, how can we indulge in lies? Satan is the father of lies (Jn 8:44); his spirits tell lies (1Jn 2:21,27); one day the whole world will believe “The Lie” (2Thes 2:9-11).

Verse 26 is from Psalm 4:4, “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.”

[4:26] “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, [4:27] nor give place to the devil.

Be angry and sin not! How can we be angry and not sin? Isn’t anger a sin? Yes, when it is directed toward people or God. Anger is not wrong when it is directed toward sin or satan. Jesus was furious with what the religious leaders were doing. He loved the religious people, but hated religion. Jesus loved sinners, but hated sin. He loved the demonized, but hated demons. Jesus loved the world so much that He went to the cross and died for the very people who betrayed Him. You can be angry at what a person does without it being a sin. Hate sin, but love people.

We desperately need more anger today. It is time the church rose up in anger in the face of blatant evil! We should be indignant and intolerant – angry, not apathetic. There needs to be a hatred toward sin. If you hate sin, you’ll stand up and declare the Word of God against it!

If you don’t get angry at sin, sickness, disease, and poverty, you will have them in your life. Tolerating the devil is giving place to him! This happens when you claim sickness, disease, and sin by saying, “my pain…,” or, “this cancer I have is rare…,” or “It’s alright to be queer, we have one in our family.” It’s good to accept the family member, but cast the devil out! If you don’t absolutely hate sin and sickness, you are giving your territory to the devil! Hate the sin, but love the person!

Pastor – if a queer comes to your church, love and welcome the person, but make it clear that they must be willing to get rid of sin – repent and be saved! They are in God’s territory, and you are not giving a seat in your congregation to the devil. This is difficult if your church already has more sin than righteousness. You’d better be angry and noisy about sin!

There are areas of life where anger is appropriate, but it must be handled properly (i.e., Jesus cleansing the temple, Jn 2:13-17).

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger” This could be referring to Dt. 24:15. The Jewish day began at sunset (cf. Gen. 1:5). Anger is a powerful emotion which must be dealt with quickly. This may refer metaphorically to time or literally to sleep which allows anger to become a subconscious force.

There may be times when we move from anger to wrath. It is often easy when we become angry at sin to pass judgment on the person involved. The moment this happens, ask the Lord to forgive you and get rid of the wrath. Remain in an attitude of love toward the person, but keep your anger toward the devil (cf. Gal 6:1).

There is an anger that is not sinful (Mk 3:5). We are not to be angry at people or God. If we are angry at sin and sinful principles, we can maintain a holy walk. It is easy for Christians to call their tempers “righteous indignation,” but the wrath of man never brings about the righteousness of God (James 1:20).

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond

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¹Gary Hill. The Discovery Bible (NASB N.T.) H.E.L.P.S. Study System (Winona Lake: BMH Books, 1987).