Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Who Taught You to Say That? (Ephesians 4:21-25)

Bryan Schneider · July 12, 2020

Ephesians 4:21-25

sharonrpc.org/sermons/who-taught-you-to-say-that

Summary

Paul's command to put away falsehood begins with Christ: believers have learned the one who is himself the truth and must not reduce Christian obedience to detached moralism.
Conversion involves putting off the corrupt patterns of the old humanity, receiving renewal in the mind, and putting on the new humanity created in righteousness and holiness.
Lying belongs to the old way of life and reflects the devil, the father of lies, while truthfulness conforms believers to Jesus.
People may lie for advantage, reputation, concealment, or the pleasure of causing harm, but pragmatic goals cannot make deception righteous.
Truth-telling requires Spirit-given courage because confession may bring discipline, loss of reputation, damaged friendships, or other real consequences.
Falsehood injures both the liar and the deceived, producing anxiety, estrangement, bitterness, and fractures within the body of Christ.
Christians are called to speak truth to every neighbor, repent rather than bury one lie beneath another, and pursue honest speech in family, work, school, church, and business.

Why must the command to tell the truth begin with learning and fixing our eyes on Christ?
How do putting off the old man, renewal of the mind, and putting on the new man fit together?
What motives for deception does the sermon identify?
Why can a good desired outcome never justify a lie?
What fears make confession and truth-telling difficult?
How does concealed falsehood damage the liar, the deceived person, and the wider church?
What does the Good Samaritan teach about the range of neighbors to whom truth is owed?
Where do family, school, work, church, or business presently require courageous honesty from us?

Learn Christ: To hear and be taught the truth embodied in Jesus, so that Christian conduct grows from union with and conformity to him.
Old man: The former humanity and conduct corrupted by deceitful desires and expressed in practices such as lying.
New man: The renewed humanity created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.
Falsehood: Speech or conduct intended to deceive, whether for gain, reputation, concealment, or harm.
Truth-telling: Honest speech toward one's neighbor that reflects Christ and protects the shared life of his people.
Repentance: Turning from deceit to God, confessing the truth, accepting rightful consequences, and walking in holiness.