Ephesians 4:25 25Therefore, having put away deceit, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members one of another.
Paul now begins a series of short exhortations that are all ramifications of the change from the old to the new self. This is how believers should live because they are being remade into the image that God has purposed for them. One aspect of the old life was living in deceit. People put on masks of hypocrisy to hide the darkness and ignorance within their minds. This can show up in telling lies, cheating, ignoring laws, compromising the rules to further one’s agenda, or others for selfish reasons. There was no integrity or honesty for liars.
Believers should respond with speaking the truth. The same word for truth is used here as verse 25. True comes as a result of being changed into God’s purpose for us of holiness and righteousness. Truth does not need to hide behind a mask or twist the facts because it comes from an honest heart and a mind filled with love.
The reason to speak truthfully to one another is because we are members of one another. This returns to the theme of unity with which Paul started this chapter. Honesty and integrity make it easier to be of one mindset and be united together as one body. Hiding behind a lie will eventually cause problems in a church but such deceit will eventually be revealed and may cause disruption in relationships. It can be difficult to be honest with one another. It requires vulnerability, which must be based on unconditional love. This may then require forgiveness and restoration since human relationships always demand flexibility.
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