PUT AWAY LYING

PUT AWAY LYING

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 4:25-32

Key Verse: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” — Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 12:22; John 8:44; Colossians 3:9-10; Proverbs 6:16-19; Acts 5:1-11; Zechariah 8:16-17.

Description: This message teaches believers to reject every form of dishonesty and embrace truthfulness as evidence of their new life in Christ.

INTRODUCTION

Truthfulness is one of the essential characteristics of a genuine Christian life. God is a God of truth, and He expects His children to reflect His nature in their words, actions and relationships. Lying may sometimes appear to provide an easy escape from trouble, protect a reputation or secure an advantage, but it damages trust, destroys relationships and dishonours God.

In Ephesians 4, Apostle Paul explains how believers should live after putting off the old man and putting on the new man. He specifically commands them to put away lying and speak truth to one another. This instruction is not merely about avoiding obvious falsehoods; it also challenges deception, dishonest excuses, misleading statements and the deliberate withholding or distortion of facts to deceive others.

The Church is described as the body of Christ, and believers are members of one another. Just as the different parts of a body depend on one another, Christians depend on mutual trust, sincerity and faithfulness. When lying becomes common among believers, fellowship is weakened and the testimony of the Gospel is damaged. Therefore, every child of God must make a firm commitment to speak the truth in love, even when doing so requires courage, humility and a willingness to accept responsibility.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD HATES LYING

The first step towards overcoming dishonesty is to understand how seriously God regards it. People may excuse lies as harmless, convenient or necessary, but God's standard does not change according to human convenience.

The believer must learn to see truthfulness as a spiritual responsibility. We cannot claim to represent the God of truth while deliberately practising deception.

a) Lying contradicts God's nature (Numbers 23:19)

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent...”

God is faithful to His Word. He does not deceive people or make false promises. His truthfulness is part of His unchanging character.

As God's children, we are called to reflect His character. Our words should be dependable, and our promises should be sincere. We must not use lies to manipulate others or gain an advantage.

b) God identifies lying as an abomination (Proverbs 12:22)

“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

This Scripture shows that God does not treat dishonesty as a minor character flaw. He delights in people who deal truthfully.

Do not measure the seriousness of a lie only by whether anyone discovers it. Measure your conduct by God's standard. Choose truth even when no human being is watching.

c) Lying belongs to the works of the old life (Colossians 3:9-10)

Paul commands believers not to lie to one another because they have put off the old man with his deeds and put on the new man.

Dishonesty is inconsistent with the new identity believers have received in Christ. A transformed life should produce transformed speech.

If lying has become a habit, do not defend it as part of your personality. Ask God for grace to change and begin practising truthfulness consistently.

d) God calls His people to speak truth (Zechariah 8:16)

God instructed His people to speak truth to one another and execute judgement in their gates according to truth and peace.

Truthfulness must govern both private conversations and public responsibilities. In the home, workplace, church and community, God's people should be known for sincerity and fairness.

Biblical Example: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

Ananias and Sapphira misrepresented the money they brought after selling their possession. Their sin was not that they kept some of the money, but that they deliberately lied about their actions. Their judgement demonstrates the seriousness of deception before God and the importance of sincerity in the Christian community.

2. RECOGNISE THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF LYING

Not every lie begins with an elaborate scheme. Some lies are told in a moment of fear, others to impress people, and others to escape the consequences of wrongdoing. Over time, repeated dishonesty can become a habit that damages a person's character.

Believers must examine their speech carefully. Putting away lying means rejecting every deliberate attempt to make others believe something false.

a) Reject direct falsehood (Proverbs 19:5)

A direct lie is a statement a person knows to be false but presents as truth. It may be used to deny wrongdoing, hide an action or accuse an innocent person.

Never knowingly give false information to protect yourself or harm someone else. It is better to admit a mistake and face the consequences than to compound the mistake with dishonesty.

b) Reject dishonest excuses (Proverbs 28:13)

Some people use excuses to avoid responsibility. They blame others, invent circumstances or give misleading explanations instead of admitting what actually happened.

God calls us to honesty and repentance. When you make a mistake, acknowledge it. A truthful confession creates an opportunity for correction and restoration.

c) Reject exaggeration intended to deceive (Matthew 5:37)

Exaggeration becomes dishonest when a person deliberately distorts facts to appear more successful, influential, wealthy or spiritual than they really are.

Do not invent testimonies, inflate achievements or misrepresent your qualifications to gain recognition. Let your life and ministry be built on integrity rather than false impressions.

d) Reject false promises and unfaithful commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)

A promise should not be used carelessly to win someone's confidence. When we make commitments we have no intention of keeping, we mislead people and damage trust.

Think carefully before making a promise. If circumstances prevent you from fulfilling a commitment, explain honestly and take responsibility instead of pretending that nothing has happened.

Biblical Example: Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27)

Gehazi pursued Naaman to obtain gifts that Elisha had refused. He then lied to Elisha about where he had been. His greed led him into deception and brought serious consequences. His example warns us that dishonesty often grows out of an unchecked desire for personal gain.

3. UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE LIE

To overcome lying, we must recognise the motives that lead us into dishonesty. Some people lie because they fear punishment, while others want praise, money, acceptance or control. Identifying these motives helps us confront the root of the problem.

The Christian must not merely ask God to forgive a lie after it has been told; the believer must also allow God to change the heart that keeps producing dishonest speech.

a) Fear of consequences (Genesis 3:10-12)

Fear can tempt people to hide their actions and shift blame. Rather than admit wrongdoing, they try to protect themselves through deception.

However, hiding the truth does not remove responsibility. When you have done wrong, seek God's forgiveness, admit the truth and take the necessary steps to make things right.

b) Desire for personal gain (1 Timothy 6:10)

Greed can make people dishonest in business, ministry, relationships and financial dealings. A person may falsify records, exaggerate needs or misrepresent facts to obtain money or possessions.

Contentment and integrity protect us from this temptation. Never sacrifice your character for temporary profit. Whatever you gain through deception may cost you peace, trust and spiritual health.

c) Desire to impress others (Galatians 1:10)

Some people lie because they want to appear important, knowledgeable or successful. They fear that the truth about their limitations will cause others to reject them.

Your worth should not depend on maintaining a false image. Be humble enough to admit what you know and what you do not know. God can work through an honest person who is willing to learn.

d) Refusal to accept responsibility (Proverbs 28:13)

Pride makes it difficult to confess wrongdoing. People may deny their actions, blame others or create false stories to avoid correction.

But genuine spiritual growth requires humility. Confession does not mean that you are beyond redemption; it means that you are willing to face the truth and receive correction.

Biblical Example: King Saul (1 Samuel 15:13-24)

After disobeying God's instruction concerning the Amalekites, Saul initially presented himself as obedient and blamed the people for what had happened. Eventually, he acknowledged his sin. His experience shows how the desire to preserve one's reputation can lead to excuses and dishonesty.

4. SPEAK THE TRUTH BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO CHRIST

Ephesians 4:25 gives both a command and a reason: believers must speak the truth because they are members of one another. Truthfulness is not optional for the Christian. It is essential to the unity and health of the body of Christ.

Our words should build trust rather than create suspicion. When believers deal honestly with one another, they strengthen fellowship and demonstrate the character of Jesus to the world.

a) Speak truth in your relationships (Ephesians 4:25)

Husbands and wives need honesty to build a healthy marriage. Parents and children need truthfulness to develop trust. Friends need sincerity to maintain meaningful relationships.

Avoid deception in your private life. Do not maintain peace through falsehood, because concealed dishonesty can eventually create greater pain. Speak truth with wisdom, love and respect.

b) Speak truth in business and financial dealings (Leviticus 19:35-36)

God commanded His people to use honest measures and weights. This principle applies to modern business and financial responsibilities.

Do not cheat customers, falsify accounts, misrepresent goods or make dishonest financial claims. Your business practices should demonstrate that your faith influences how you earn, spend and manage money.

c) Speak truth in ministry and leadership (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Ministers and leaders carry a responsibility to handle God's Word and the trust of people with integrity. They must not fabricate testimonies, invent spiritual experiences or manipulate people through false information.

Honest leadership may require admitting mistakes, correcting inaccurate statements and acknowledging limitations. A ministry built on truth honours God and protects the people it serves.

d) Speak truth with love and wisdom (Ephesians 4:15)

Truthfulness does not give us permission to be cruel, insulting or needlessly harsh. The Bible calls us to speak the truth in love.

Consider your words carefully. Be truthful without humiliating people, and be gracious without becoming deceptive. The goal is not merely to prove a point but to honour God and promote what is right.

Biblical Example: Nathan Confronts David (2 Samuel 12:1-13)

Nathan confronted David about his sin using a story that helped the king recognise his wrongdoing. When David understood the truth, he confessed, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan's example shows the importance of courageous, truthful correction, while David's response demonstrates the need to acknowledge the truth when confronted.

5. DEVELOP A LIFESTYLE OF TRUTHFULNESS

Putting away lying requires a deliberate commitment to integrity. It is not enough to stop telling obvious lies while continuing to mislead people in subtle ways. We must develop habits that make truthfulness part of our daily character.

God's grace enables us to change, but we must respond through repentance, accountability and consistent obedience.

a) Renew your mind with God's Word (Romans 12:2)

Wrong thinking often produces wrong speech. If we believe that we must lie to survive, gain acceptance or protect our reputation, we will continue to face temptation.

Allow Scripture to reshape your values. Trust that obedience to God is more important than temporary advantage, and learn to value a clean conscience above human applause.

b) Admit your mistakes promptly (James 5:16)

When you discover that you have lied, do not add another lie to protect the first one. Acknowledge the falsehood, correct the record and apologise where appropriate.

If your lie has harmed someone, take reasonable steps to repair the damage. Repentance should produce a willingness to correct what dishonesty has damaged.

c) Guard your heart and speech (Psalm 141:3)

Pray for God's help in controlling your words. Before speaking, ask whether what you intend to say is true. If you are uncertain about a fact, admit that you do not know rather than inventing an answer.

Practise pausing before responding under pressure. A moment of restraint can prevent a dishonest statement that may take years to repair.

d) Maintain accountability and integrity (Proverbs 11:3)

Integrity guides us even when nobody is watching. Choose friends and spiritual mentors who will encourage honesty and correct you when necessary.

Keep accurate records, fulfil your commitments and be transparent in matters where others have a legitimate right to know the truth. Make truthfulness a daily discipline rather than an occasional decision.

Biblical Example: Daniel (Daniel 6:3-5)

Daniel's enemies searched for grounds to accuse him but could not find corruption or negligence in his conduct. His integrity was consistent enough to stand up to scrutiny. Daniel demonstrates that a life of truthfulness builds a reputation that is not easily destroyed by false accusations.

CONCLUSION

Putting away lying is an essential part of putting on the new man in Christ. God desires His children to reflect His truthfulness in their speech, relationships, business dealings and ministry. Lying may appear to offer temporary protection, but it damages trust, weakens character and dishonours God. Whether dishonesty arises from fear, greed, pride or the desire to impress others, the believer must confront it through repentance and obedience to God's Word.

Make a fresh commitment to speak the truth even when it is uncomfortable. Stop making excuses for dishonesty, admit your mistakes and correct false statements when necessary. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart and tongue, and choose integrity in every area of life. Let people know that your words can be trusted because you belong to Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, deliver me from every form of lying, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, create a truthful heart within me, in Jesus name.

3. Give me courage to admit my mistakes, in Jesus name.

4. Remove every fear that makes me lie, in Jesus name.

5. Deliver me from pride and deceit, in Jesus name.

6. Let my words reflect Your truth, in Jesus name.

7. Help me to correct every false statement, in Jesus name.

8. Make me faithful in business and ministry, in Jesus name.

9. Restore every relationship damaged by dishonesty, in Jesus name.

10. Make me a person of proven integrity, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You will walk in truth and integrity.

2. You will overcome the habit of dishonesty.

3. You will receive courage to admit your mistakes.

4. Your words will become trustworthy.

5. You will be delivered from fear-driven deception.

6. Your relationships will grow through honesty.

7. Your business will be marked by integrity.

8. Your ministry will honour God through truth.

9. You will have grace to correct your wrongs.

10. Your life will reflect the truth of Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.