Habits that Destroy Fellowship

A Daily Devotional with David Olatona

Main Text
Ephesians 4:17-32

Watchword
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV)

We who have experienced the new birth must lay aside falsehood and speak the truth, because we are members of one another. From the standpoint of the church of Jesus Christ, when Christians are not truthful, they not only harm themselves, but they harm the body of Christ. A believer who tells lies is really a pest in Christian circles. That is why telling the truth is so important because fellowship is built on trust, and trust is built on the truth. There is no place for lying in the Christian life. (Proverbs 12:22).

Here are some common lies that are a part of every day life.
•  When we change the facts to spare someone’s feelings, it is a lie.
•  When we alter the truth in any way, it is a lie.
•When we make commitment or promises we know we cannot keep, it is a lie.
•  When we betray a confidence, it is a lie.
•  When we engage in flattery of others, it is a lie.
•  When we make excuses to cover our failures and shortcomings, it is a lie.
•  When we withhold information in order to mislead or deceive, it is a lie (Psalms 12:2).

In a church family, it’s all too easy to spread rumours and gossip, a form of self-deception which makes us feel like we’re speaking “the truth” to one another when we are actually speaking lies. We hear somebody tell us a few one-sided fragments of information about somebody else, and assuming we heard the full story, we pass it on, thinking we know it all and we use our “inside” knowledge to gain prestige or a following for ourselves. We easily talk about each other, without talking to one another and listening to one another (Proverbs 8:7; Psalms 15:2).

Confession
Heavenly father, forgive me in ways that I have hurt others with lies in form of gossips and rumours.

Prayer
Oh Lord, help me to hate deceits and falsehood but to love your law. Amen. (Psalm 119:163).

Additional Reading
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Jeremiah 31:33-34.