Topical Bible: Truth: Saints should Speak, to One Another

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In the Christian faith, truth is a fundamental virtue that believers are called to uphold in their interactions with one another. The Bible emphasizes the importance of truthfulness among the saints, highlighting it as a reflection of God's own nature and a necessary component of a healthy, functioning Christian community.

Biblical Foundation

The call for truthfulness among believers is rooted in the character of God, who is described as the "God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16). As followers of Christ, who declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), Christians are to emulate this divine attribute in their relationships.

Ephesians 4:25

One of the clearest exhortations for truthfulness among believers is found in Ephesians 4:25: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . This verse underscores the communal aspect of the Christian life, where honesty is essential for unity and mutual edification. The apostle Paul urges believers to abandon deceit and embrace truth as a means of fostering genuine fellowship.

Colossians 3:9-10

In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul further instructs the saints: "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" . Here, truthfulness is linked to the transformative work of salvation. As believers are renewed in Christ, they are called to reflect His image, which includes living in truth.

Zechariah 8:16

The Old Testament also emphasizes the importance of truth among God's people. Zechariah 8:16 states, "These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates" . This directive highlights the role of truth in maintaining justice and righteousness within the community.

Practical Implications

Truthfulness among believers is not merely a moral obligation but a practical necessity for the health of the church. It builds trust, fosters transparency, and prevents the discord that arises from deceit. When saints speak truthfully to one another, they create an environment where love and accountability can flourish.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to truthfulness is clear, believers may face challenges in consistently living out this principle. The pressures of societal norms, fear of conflict, or personal insecurities can tempt individuals to compromise on truth. However, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to overcome these challenges, providing the strength and wisdom needed to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

In summary, the biblical mandate for saints to speak truth to one another is a reflection of God's character and an essential practice for the unity and integrity of the Christian community. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to live out this calling, contributing to a church that honors God and edifies its members.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that you shall do; Speak you every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:25
Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... is the apprehending of parcels of divine truth, which leads ... of God, which shall overflow
all the saints' graces in ... gave me a commandment, what I should say and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... the other is burnt up; so also in truth it is ... 7. I know not how I should speak, for
the wonder ... that not even any relics of these saints should remain, their ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... to work this iniquity, that two tribes should be destroyed ... Speak truth each one with
his neighbour, so shall ye ... Beliar, even the souls of the saints, and shall ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

Psalm III.
... of Christ another way; which is that whole Christ should speak. ... another place he
saith, "But doing the truth in love ... is the prayer of all the Saints, the odour ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm iii.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... Seest thou how the Holy Spirit enlightens the saints? ... Worthy of honour is in truth
that Spirit, holy and ... infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... will grant they should be tender of offending the saints. ... them from the love of the
truth and godliness ... that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm

Christ is All
... We should strive to speak the gospel simply from our ... I must close by noticing WHAT
THIS TRUTH REQUIRES OF US ... exhibition of the Christ-life in the saints is the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/christ is all.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 20
... when the second was moved to prophesy the first should speak? ... he, "I teach in all
the Churches of the saints.". ... For in truth the Church was a heaven then, the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxvi 1 cor xiv.htm

Scriptural Christianity
... the men of outside religion, "the saints of the ... speak plain, "by manifestation of
the truth commending ourselves ... orders of men among us should speak and live ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 4 scriptural christianity.htm

Letter Xlvi (Circa AD 1125) to Guigues, the Prior, and to the ...
... peace unto His people, and to His saints, and to ... and pious man, God forbid that he
should speak otherwise than ... spoken not so much according to the truth of the ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlvi circa a d 1125.htm