Honestly
The Church is built up when we are truthful and loving. When the world tells us to “be true to ourselves” it sadly isn’t calling us to honesty, but to selfishness. Being truthful is about more than just not saying what is not true. We are instructed to be truthful with our words, our emotions and our actions, not merely avoiding error but rather pursuing love and the best for the glory of God and for those around us.
Scripture Reading
Ephesians 4:25-28 ESV Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Bible Study Questions
Living out our faith authentically
Today’s Scripture builds on the call to leave our previous lives (before knowing Jesus and being changed by Him) and to live in a real way that accords with who Jesus has recreated us to be. Who are we to be like and live like?
Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The Nature of Truth
Jesus is the Truth, God is True and cannot lie. We need to acknowledge our failure to live honestly in our words, emotions and actions in light of the perfect truth of God. When we realise how we fall short, what should we do?
John 14:6 ESV Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 18:37 ESV Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Titus 1:2 ESV in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
The consequences of lies
In order to be corrected by the Word of God, we need to hear it, discern how it relates to us and understand the consequences of not obeying it. When we’ve been convicted of lying, we need to understand what the consequences of not repenting of our deceit are.
Revelation 22:14-15 ESV Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Don’t just avoid lying, speak the truth
We’re very skilled in justifying our own behaviour. We can hide away from the fact that we’re dishonest but, being truthful means being careful with what we say and what we don’t say. How does being careful with what we don’t say build up the Church?
Ephesians 4:25-28 ESV Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:15 ESV Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Don’t just avoid hurting others, seek healing
One way of dealing with hurt and offence is to ignore it. Avoiding confrontation can appear to keep the peace, but is it always the right way?
Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
Leviticus 19:17 ESV “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
Proverbs 15:1 ESV A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Don’t just avoid stealing, give freely
Jesus teaches us that to live in a way that is opposite to the world, opposite to what we were before we knew Him. How are we to do this in relation to the things we need or want?
Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Our Guide in all Truth
Living authentically and honestly is difficult, but we don’t do it alone or in our own strength alone. Who helps us in all truth?
John 16:13-14 ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.