Speaking the Truth

Introduction

A. How much time each day does the average person spend talking? It would be interesting to find out. Some have estimated that we spend about 1/5 of our day talking. Some of us spend more time and some spend less. Adding in text time, then we might find that more than a 1/5 of our day is spent talking. But for the sake of argument let’s say that we spend 5 hours a day talking. During those 5 hours many words are exchanged—assuming that we are talking to someone not only to ourselves. Have you ever thought how many of those words have some meaning?

B. If we speak about 5 hours a day, we would speak enough words to fill a small book. What kind of words do we speak? We exchange pleasantries—Good morning, how are you? We may or may not wait for an answer but other than providing a brief connection the words may not mean much. How many of our words have meaning which will encourage? How many of our words will hurt, tear down, or damage another person? Words are powerful both positively and negatively. In our text today, Paul gets to some practical application of what it means to be followers of Jesus. And the place he starts is with our words. Our words matter. Let’s use our words now to praise our God.

The New Self

A. Our section begins with the word “therefore.” Because we have put off the old self and put on the new self; because we have been created anew in God’s image of righteousness and holiness, Paul says there are some practical ways that new self is revealed. Here is the nitty gritty of living as God wants us to live. If we now carry God’s renewed image spiritually then our lives need to reflect that newness. There are several areas that Paul will address. We can understand these areas. The real issue is doing them. Each of these follow a pattern—we are told not to do something; then we are told to do something; and then a reason is given for the change.

B. First, stop lying and tell the truth. Notice the reference to “put off” which follows the “put off the old self” of verse 22. Clear indication that Paul wants his readers to not forget the point he was making. The old self lied; the new self tells the truth. The old self was concerned about looking good. The old self might tell a lie in order to protect reputation or to avoid embarrassment or responsibility. The new self speaks truth because it is now about God looking good. God is filled with truth so our words should be truthful as well. Why? We belong to each other. Relationship with each other cannot be sustained if there is lying. Trust and connection are based on truth.

C. Second, don’t sin when angry instead deal with it quickly. Anger comes. Things happen. This anger is not mere elevated heat because of something. This is anger that leads to rage. This is the precursor to rage. The idea is that when this type of anger happens we need to deal with it quickly. So let’s make this plain. No pouting, no verbal vomiting, no bitterness, and no rage. Get with the person with whom you are angry and work it out. Take a minute to cool off, count to 10, take a cold shower, compose yourself and go handle it—quickly. Don’t wait. Why? Because you give the devil a foothold. Haven’t you noticed that the longer it takes for you to work out the issue, the more you concoct ideas about motives, intents, facial expressions, and how another person treated you? Haven’t you noticed that the longer you wait the more angry you become. Deal with it quickly so that the devil doesn’t win.

D. Third, stop stealing and go to work. There are times when someone feels justified in taking from another. He has so much. My employer will not miss a few things. It hasn’t been used. I am lacking. It isn’t yours. The fact that another person has more than you doesn’t give you permission to take it. If you are lacking go to work. For first century followers, this would have been stern words. Dependent as they were on manual labor for earning a living, to tell them to work hard would have been redundant. Paul’s point is that new self wants God to look good. We work hard to provide and we learn to be content with what we have. Why? So that we can share with others. The person who has little will often share with others who are viewed as having less. Paul’s point is to take your eyes off what you don’t have and notice what you do have that can be shared.

E. Fourth, stop unwholesome or rotten speech and use words which build up. The word for unwholesome can be used to identify something that is rancid or putrid. We could say stop your stinking talk. What is included? Just about anything that is negative—cursing, coarse joking, words which hurt. Instead use words which encourage, build up, strengthen. Why? Because others need benefit or grace. Paul uses the word “grace” here because our words are to be kind and filled with joy. Our words are to bring favor and good will. Because everyone needs that.

F. Finally, Paul says we all these things because the Holy Spirit lives within us. While verse 30 is connected to verse 29 directly, indirectly the point is that giving room for the old self to be revealed grieves the Holy Spirit who is our seal for the day when we will be with God. The new self wants to make God look good and God’s Spirit grieves when we return to the ways of the old self.

Summary

A. Verses 31–32 are a summary statement. What is driving all of these practical elements? As Paul will say in 5:1 we want to be imitators of God. The new self is formed in the image of God. This image of God reflects righteousness and holiness. Righteousness centers on how we treat others. We treat others the way God has treated us. Verse 31, Paul speaks to the attitude that occupies our hearts. Get rid of all verbal displays of anger and the mean-spirited attitude that drives them. The old self had no patience with people. The old self reacted toward others out of selfish motives. The old self thought this way—you can’t treat me like that. You hurt me and I will hurt you more. Paul says we give up the mean-spirited thinking.

B. Instead our thinking turns and seeks ways to be kind and compassionate. This is not easy. The new self wants God to be seen. The new self wants to demonstrate the beauty of God. How do we do that? Because we recognize that God has treated us this way. Last week I noted that the more we recognize the depth of our sin, the more we will be able to understand how much God has changed our lives. When we think about how much God has forgiven in us, the more we can find the same grace to share with others.

C. The new self thinks this way—you mistreated me, God loves you and so will I. You hurt me and God loves you and so will I. The new self seeks ways to maintain unity. The new self doesn’t attribute poor motives to the actions of others. The new self sees the other person as possessing God’s image and acts in righteousness. God has forgiven your sins so you forgive. The person next to you has been forgiven. So why would you hold anything against them? Grace is for all and we are to be the righteous demonstration of grace as we deal with each other. God has gifted us with unity and he has gifted each one with the power to maintain that unity. Our words are to build up. Our words are to heal. Our words are to reflect God’s grace. Invitation.

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