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

After using the put off/put on illustration to describe the change in behavior that is to be produced by learning Christ (vs. 22-24), Paul proceeds to give several specific examples of such changes. He begins with a prohibition against lying.

“Lying” is translated from the Greek word pseudos which refers to all falsehood (rendered such in some modern translations). This involves telling lies, but it also includes the desire to deceive by telling half-truths and withholding facts demanded for a full disclosure of the truth.

The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). God is truth. He is the source of truth (John 17:17). God is incapable of lying (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18). Such an act would violate His holiness. If we are to be identified as God’s children, and if we are to maintain our fellowship with Him, we must put away lying and falsehood.

Some would have us believe there is a distinction between malicious lies and harmless little “white lies.” The Bible makes no such distinction. “…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). The world abounds with rationalizations for deceit, making it easy to deal carelessly with the truth. We can fall into the trap of telling lies to protect ourselves or spare the feelings of others. We must put off this practice. All lies are sinful, regardless of who benefits from them.

In the place of telling lies, “let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.” This appears to be a quotation or allusion to Zechariah 8:16, which called for God’s people to repent and treat others in a just and righteous manner. Our Lord came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). Part of following Christ is abiding in the truth, speaking the truth, and dealing truthfully with others.

The motivation given in the text for this change in behavior is the impact deception has on other believers - “we are members of one another.” The “one-another” admonitions are common in Paul’s writings. Working together as members of a local church requires effort on our part. Fellowship in the body of Christ is built and maintained, in large part, on trust. We must deal honestly with God’s word, and with one another. Deception undermines this fellowship, while honesty strengthens and protects it.