The Power of the Truth
A Study of Truth in Ephesians

#4 Our new nature cultivated in the truth

Here in 4:24 we find what has happened inside that person who has received God's truth. We are not thinking of what physical changes happened to his body but what spirit changes happened to his soul. By hearing the message of truth they gained a new self. A new creation was formed by the joining of the Spirit and truth. This new self has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

"And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (Ephesians 4:24)

This is its very nature. This new life has been given to us to associate and communicate with God. Just this morning my mixer died. The motor burnt up. I called up and they offered to pick up the old one and give me a new one. As non-Christians, this is what each one needs. A new nature. A new heart to love that which is pure and lovely. Its nature will replicate itself through actions and thoughts that are righteous and holy. Ephesians 5:9 affirms this same message in the context of light and darkness.

"(For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth)," (Ephesians 5:9)

The Christian must train himself with God's truth to totally activate and follow this new nature. The nature - the appetite is there, but in a sense it must be programmed with the truth. A person does not just need to become a Christian but live as Christ.

#5 Speak truth with one another

We see one fruit of this new nature is to speak truth. This new nature will always and only speak truth. We must speak only those things that are consistent with God's revealed Word. It cannot do anything else. But if we give in to the old nature, it has power to control us. In this case, we would speak falsehood.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE of you, WITH HIS NEIGHBOR,
for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)

Falsehood is a pretend world for the purpose of manipulation and concealing. The evil one gains power by falsehood. He counters God's truth and through devious means steals power and recognition. He did it in the garden and still does it today. His nature is to lie. This is the exact opposite to Christ Jesus who is truth. God will never lead us in a way that requires deception. Truth is one firm pillar in discerning God's will for our lives.

#6 Truth is the foundation of our lives

We discover the full power of truth and its place in the godly man's life in Ephesians 6:14. This is last time the word truth is used in this small but pertinent book.

"Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS," (Ephesians 6:14)

Part of the dress of the Christian soldier is to 'have girded your loins with truth.' Barnes says,

The idea here may be, that as the girdle was the bracer up, or support of the body, so truth is fitted to brace us up, and to gird us for constancy and firmness. The girdle kept all the parts of the armour in their proper place, and preserved firmness and consistency in the dress; and so truth might serve to give consistency and firmness to our conduct.

The girdle not only kept ones robes tied in place but was the organizer for his whole outfit. For example, the girdle is where he would place his sword. Truth is the foundation of our lives. This is why compromise with the truth greatly and immediately weakens any Christian. On the other hand, the more we embrace God's truth, the stronger we will be. The reason truth helps us so much is that it gives us faith in what God wants. The more we see how God's will is connected to God's person, our faith and courage grows.

Summary

The truth of God is powerful. Once it enters our lives through the Holy Spirit, we are changed in our inner souls. We become a new creature. From this new heart, we are able and desirous of being like Christ. When we speak, we will speak truth. We have put all lying away from our lives. Truth has become the foundation of our lives.