"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body". Ephesians 4:25
It’s fascinating – if you Google the word “lie”. Wikipedia gives a list of 28 different kinds of lies: a barefaced lie; bluff; cover-up; fib; white lie; butler lies. The list goes on.
I’m not going to get into whether it’s “ok” or not to tell a “white lie”. That I submit to your conscience. The Apostle Paul says here “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to each other”.
So, whether we lie to each other, or about each other by way of gossip, we are delivering a blow to the unity that we share as members of the body of Christ.
As Christians, we are united in Christ; any form of falsehood/lying threatens to damage and destroy that unity.
I once heard a good explanation about gossip. When a brother or sister is going through a difficult time - they’ve lost their job; or perhaps their marriage is in trouble - we are faced with two options.
Option #1 – we can choose to uncover that brother/sister (who is already hurting) through gossip, through spreading that “news” to others, thereby exposing them to further shame or hurtful reaction by others.
Option #2 - we can choose to cover that brother/sister in love and grace by speaking words of love and grace to them and about them. (Note! I said “cover the person” not the sin. Sin always needs to be “brought to the light” and dealt with).
Friends, in all we do, may we, by God’s grace always choose the latter – covering instead of uncovering; building up instead of breaking down.
“We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbour, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.” – Martin Luther
PRAYER:
Father, keep me from falsehood;
May my speech be pure and true
Always building, always encouraging,
Pleasing and glorifying you
Amen