Ephesians 4:25: No More Lies

A British survey in 2008 reported that people lie on average 4 times a day, which is at least 1460 times a year and 88,000 times in 60 years. In 2002 a study done by a university concluded that 60% of people cannot have a 10 minute conversation without telling a lie, averaging 2-3 in a ten minute period. In a 2014 survey of 1,200 adults 76% said it was ok to lie sometimes. Lying is a destructive sin that dominates the human heart and has been the source of wars, divorce, murder, suicide and many more instances of harm. The impact of lying on human history is incalculable from our point of view. If we had to take every lie ever told from our earliest years to our parents, in school, to our friends, spouses, bosses, etc. The number would be astronomical.

As Paul comes to calling us to a new life the first area that he calls us to put off the old and put on the new is in the area of lies and truth, 4:25, ‘Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.’ As this next section comes into view I cannot help but think that Paul is thinking over the ten commandments as a partial guide in mapping out the new life. Not lying relates to the 9th commandment; not getting angry to the 6th; not stealing and working hard, the 8th, the sexual sin addressed relates to the 7th. But Paul does not merely have the negative approach to holiness in mind but has love which fulfils the law in view as well, 5:2. So as we move forward we will be allowing the Ten Commandments to inform our look at these new life laws.

Our message will divide into two parts as we look at putting off falsehood and speaking the truth.