Week 25
The Habit of Truth
Ephesians 4:17–25
“Putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.’”
Ephesians 4:17–25 (NKJV)
Paul describes conversion as learning Christ. The gospel gives more than new information; it teaches an entirely new manner of life.
The old humanity walks in darkened understanding, alienated from God and surrendered to deceiving desires. Sin distorts not only behavior but perception.
The answer is to put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of the mind, and put on the new self created after God’s likeness in righteousness and holiness.
Truth therefore becomes a habit of the whole person. We refuse lies spoken aloud, but also the edited stories, strategic silences, exaggerations, and inward evasions that protect an image.
Paul grounds honesty in belonging: we are members of one another. Falsehood damages the shared body because trust is part of the life flowing between its members.
Truthfulness need not become cruelty. Christian speech serves love; it tells what is real in a manner shaped by humility, timing, courage, and the good of the hearer.
The renewed mind practices truth before pressure arrives. Small honest choices form a character capable of faithful speech when truth becomes costly.
Bring one place of concealment into Christ’s light. Put away the falsehood, speak what is true, and trust the God who is able to sustain a life without disguise.
In Conversation with C. S. Lewis
Lewis warned against education that trains clever analysis while dissolving confidence in objective truth and worthy affection. Reason detached from moral formation cannot produce a whole person.
Paul presents the Christian alternative: renewed understanding joined to new character, where truth is believed, loved, spoken, and embodied within a people.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus,
God of truth, expose every falsehood by which I protect my image or avoid faithful responsibility.
Renew my mind and clothe me in the new humanity of Christ. Make my words accurate, loving, courageous, and worthy of trust.
Teach me to live without disguise before You and my neighbors. Amen.
Think and Walk with Christ
Let truth become wisdom.
Return often to Ephesians 4:17–25. Ask the Spirit to renew not only what you believe, but how you see and live.