Put Away Lying

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth (Eph.4, 25)

Apostle Paul is addressing the people who learned the truth of Christianity already and convincing them to put away lying that is so popular in all times. So as it seems, it is not easy for the soul to put away lying after conversion right away. We constantly exchange empty words, unwillingly get carried away by appearance, we lie to each other when exaggerating simple things, and say a lot of unnecessary words out of kindness. And not only in our speech but in looks and even feelings too it is rare that we can see the unconditional truth. Every statement we make is diluted with something unnatural, which is called social manners. We look at everything with the eyes of accepted prejudice, rarely following our hearts. So seldom do we think and feel right! How many times, against our conscience, against the Word of God, we got satisfied with partial truth; how often we distort and cover the truth!

However to deserve to be called the Sons of God it is necessary to always and everywhere fulfill the highest Law. Truth must be the basis for our every thought, and lead every step of our lives.

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)