Putting away falsehood is much more than just not telling a lie. We can be legalistic and self-righteous about always telling the truth. Putting away falsehood is about living transparently, about not trying to deceive, about not cutting corners, about dealing fairly with everyone you deal with, and sharing our lives with one another. In our culture, we begin to justify things like downloading free music, software, or games. We cut corners on paying taxes or getting permits. We can try to profit off the ignorance of others or find a way to cheat and get ahead. We can abstain from telling lies and still be dishonest people.
At the core of a dishonest life is discontentment about our situation, about who we are, and not truly believing that God loves us for who we are. You don’t need to try and be someone else and be fake; you just need to allow God to wrap his arms around you, clothe you in the new self he has designed for you, and live trying to be who he wants you to be. If you feel you need to be someone else, don’t take the cheap path and fake it. Put on the new self that God wants you to be but always remember that God loves you for who you are. Before you get all prettied up, make yourself beautiful, God loves you. Before you bring home money to feed the family, God still loves you. You no longer need to fake anything. There is no need to put on falsehood. You just need to recognize the ultimate truth: God loves you. He made who you are. He made you with a purpose in mind. God infinitely loves you.
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" Eph 4:25 (ESV).
