Ephesians 4:25 - Homilies By T. Croskery

Warning against falsehood.

As the saints had put off lying at their conversion, it was their duty henceforth to speak truth with their neighbor's. Consider the social duty prescribed and the motive to its faithful performance.

I. THE SOCIAL DUTY . "Speak every man truth with his neighbor." What is truth? There is truth as opposed to falsehood, which is an express intention to deceive. There is truth of character, which is opposed to insincerity. Both kinds of truth are manifest in three circumstances—in common conversation, in bearing testimony, in making and in keeping promises.

II. THE MOTIVE TO THIS SOCIAL DUTY . "Because we are members one of another." This is a religious consideration that is not designed to exclude other grounds of obligation to truthfulness.

1. But the principle here laid down applies equally to mankind in general.

2. The principle here laid down specially applies to Christians. They are not only members of Christ, but of one another. Chrysostom supposes the impossibility of the eye lying to the foot or the foot to the eye, in the presence of danger. Thus it would be equally unnatural, by the very law of their union, as members one of another, that believers should deceive one another by falsehood. The consideration of this membership suggests a relation

INFERENCES.

1. Let believers be careful as to truth. "If any man seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue"—particularly from lying—"that man's religion is vain." Let them pray with the psalmist, "Remove far from me the way of lying." Let them not tolerate liars in their society.

2. Mark how religion tends to promote the well-being and comfort of society. Truth is the cement of society.

3. Remember that the devil is the father of liars ( John 8:44 ), and that "whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" shall not enter the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 22:15 ).—T.C.