Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor. –
Ephesians 4:25
If you set about doing everything Paul tells you to do in Ephesians 4, you would not have time to do anything you shouldn’t. One of the things Paul advises is to speak the truth to your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Jesus answers that in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Your neighbor is anyone who needs you to act “neighborly.” But why is speaking the truth so important?
Have you ever caught someone in a lie? After that, it is difficult to trust that person regardless of what they say, because their word has proven unreliable. As you practice the behaviors listed in Ephesians 4, such as doing the work of the ministry, giving, or offering kindness, indulging in dishonesty, gossip, or complaining weakens the positive things you do.
Speaking truth and embracing Jesus as the truth is a basic building block of the Christian life. How important it is, to be honest, and walk with integrity, as someone who is reliable and can be trusted! 1 Peter 3:15 says to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” When you share important truths with an unbeliever, the person can trust you if you have been consistently honest with them.
As you pray today, intercede for believers to receive strength from the Lord to speak the truth and to do good works that the Father may be glorified (Matthew 5:16). Ask that the truth be made clear and embraced by citizens of the United States and that deception would be unveiled.
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