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)
Truth is becoming an increasingly rare commodity in our world. We are living in a nation of liars where people lies at will about trivial and important matters regularly to parents, friends, neighbour and spouses. Believers also are not exempted, but we are to guard our words against the intrusion of lies. Church attendance makes little difference in people’s ethical views and behavior with respect to pilferage, lying, cheating and not reporting theft”.
(Proverbs 19:5)
We also bend the truth by cheating on our income taxes and all other taxes, always with the justification that the government wastes so much money or that the tax system is unfair to us. We pilfer (paper and other office tools) from our employer with the rationalization that they don’t pay me enough. Also, if the clerk at the store makes a mistake to our advantage, we don’t say anything to make it right, we just figure, “they overcharge for everything, anyway!” We cheat on tests and examinations with the excuse, “everyone else does it. (Proverbs 29:5)
Truth characterizes our new life in Christ. We are to live in accordance with the truth which is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:21). And, we are now to live as truthful people. Only those who have received new life through God’s grace can be truthful out of the motive of pleasing and glorifying Him. Many unbelievers that are truthful will always glory in their self righteousness and this is based on the fear of the punishment, or shame that comes if the duplicity comes to light (Isaiah 64:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
Confession
Henceforth the truth is establish on my lips and I produces truth everyday of my life . Amen (Proverbs 12:19)
Prayer
Righteous father, give me the power to speak the truth in all circumstances and to stand by it. Amen.
Additional Reading
Proverbs 12:19
Isaiah 63:8.