Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Ephesians 4:25 – 28

The new life the believers are given is meant to be lived!  It is not an easy way, however, as all believers have discovered.  But in Christ, there is no other way!  Final.

To begin with you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor.  And to anyone else for that matter.  The point is, the believer will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, live without hypocrisy.  We are tempted to tweak the truth at times because we are tempted into thinking that will help.  The end of that road is disaster.  I find it interesting that Paul focuses on what we say, rather than on what we do.  Of course, both are essential and non-negotiable. Lying may be the most hurtful because only living the truth protects us from the evil one.

He again uses the example of a single body of which we are a part that suffers when some of its members lie.  That weakens that body horribly.

He assumes that we are tempted to be angry, a common feeling we must deal with.  But that very anger can be a way that Satan gets a foothold in our lives.  Never go to bed angry – forgive, forego and get a good night’s sleep!

A prominent sin is stealing, meaning taking anything that has not been freely given you.  If you earn something by working you are fine, but do not take away the fruits of another’s labor.   Do your bit.  Work.  That pleases God and all believers of all times and places agree to that.

Obedience does not earn salvation which is a gift of grace, but a changed heart will and should desire to obey.