Put Off Falsehood
Tim Keller | January 20, 1991
Overview
When the Apostle Paul starts to describe the Christian lifestyle, he begins with writing to “put off falsehood.” Truth is the essence of what it means to be a Christian. This sermon explores why to tell the truth and how to be truthful.
Outline
Ephesians 4:25
Christianity is all about truth. Paul tells us to stop lying and start telling the truth. This isn’t just about not telling lies, but about having a truthful heart, loving truth, and standing up against lies. Lies are the start of all bad things, so it’s important to fill our hearts with truth, especially when we take part in holy communion.
1. Why be truthful?
The reason Christians should be truthful is different from other religions or belief systems. It’s based on who we are as followers of Christ. We tell the truth because God is a truthful God and His Spirit lives in us. This makes truth-telling not just a rule, but a joyful and empowering part of our Christian identity.
2. How to be truthful
Real honesty means being open with God, ourselves, and others. This can be distorted by sin and lies. But being a Christian isn’t just about speaking the truth, it’s also about admitting our faults and sins and accepting Jesus’ forgiveness and grace. To really overcome the lies, we need to be humble, truthful, and consistent, and depend on God’s strength, wisdom, and love. This is how we become people of truth.
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