Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

In the context of putting off the old man, and his deceitful lusts (v. 22^[1]), and putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (v. 24^[2]), we have the first practical implementation of how this can be accomplished. It is that believers should immediately commence in putting away lying and speak every man truth with his neighbour. None should think themselves above this command, and every man should be bound to the revelation revealed here. To walk with God and maintain any true fellowship with Him, every child of God must put away lying and embrace what it is to walk in the light^[3] and speak the truth.

In contrast to lying, which the Lord hates,^[4] there is the truth, which every child of God both needs and should embrace. Contrasting the two, speaking the truth and lying are certainly the most visible and apparent characteristics that separate the saved from the unsaved.

Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 58:3) They go astray—The Hebrew word used here means to go astray, to wander, to err. It is used in reference to drunken persons who reel, Isaiah 28:7;^[5] and to the soul, as erring or wandering from the paths of truth and piety, Ezekiel 48:11; Psalm 95:10; Psalm 119:110; Proverbs 21:16.^[6] The “manner” in which the persons here referred to did this, is indicated here by their “speaking lies.”

As soon as they be born—Margin, as in Hebrew, “from the belly.” The meaning is, not that they speak lies “as soon as” they are born, which could not be literally true, but that this is the “first act.” The first thing “done” is not an act of holiness, but an act of sin—showing what is in the heart.

Speaking lies—They are false in their statements; false in their promises; false in their general character. This is one of the forms of sin, indicating original depravity; and it is undoubtedly selected here because this was particularly manifested by the enemies of David. They were false, perfidious, and could not be trusted. If it be proved, therefore, that all people are wicked, then “this” passage becomes a proper and an important text to demonstrate that this wickedness is not the result of temptation or example, but that it is the expression of the depravity of the heart by nature; that the tendency of man by nature is not to goodness, but to sin; that the first developments of character are sinful; that there is something lying of sinful acts in people which makes it certain that they will act as they do; and that this always manifests itself in the first acts which they perform.

It is critical for spiritual trust to be developed in the body of Christ. That truth is loved,^[7] embraced, and spoken by its members. Just as a lie erodes confidence in another, speaking the truth assures others that our hearts and motives are pure toward them. Understandably, we cannot place any real trust in those we suspect are lying to us and are in some form seeking to deceive. The believer’s relationship with the truth therefore reveals not only his own true inward character but also that he is concerned enough for others to avoid deceiving them—simply because liars at their core are selfish, seeking their own advantages and caring little for those they have sought to deceive. For no man will lie or seek to deceive others unless he deems it as some form of profit to himself.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Eph. 4:25) Truth is the first condition of the mutual confidence which is the basis of all unity.

***

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:25) No professing Christian can do any good who has not an unimpeachable character for integrity and truth—and yet who can lay his hand on his breast and say before God that he is in all cases a man that speaks the simple and unvarnished truth?

What people embrace reveals who they are. If it is the God of truth,^[8] and truth in general, then we can know they are of God and that God is in them. But if any profess to know the Lord Jesus and remain in the habit of lying, either to themselves^[9] or others,^[10] spiritual separation from God is clearly revealed. We can be certain that he who does not religiously hold to truth in every manner of his life, whether it is believing it, speaking it, or living it, does not know the Lord or the true character of His being.

A commonly known record in the Old Testament regards one of the Lord’s prophets, Elijah, who, through speaking the truth, revealed himself as an actual man of God, one sent by God.^[11] Through the prophet’s words being proven right, his legitimate spiritual ministry was confirmed, teaching us that through truth a man’s true inward character and spiritual ministry can be made known. Through others speaking the truth, those who do not know God can be brought to ultimately learn of Him as the God of truth,^[12] the same God Who also associates Himself with the Spirit of truth,^[13] the Word of truth,^[14] and the Son, Who revealed, I am the truth.^[15]

I Kings 17:17–24 And it came to pass after these things,^[[16]] that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

¹⁸ And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

¹⁹ And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

²⁰ And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

²¹ And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.

²² And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

²³ And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

²⁴ And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Kgs. 17:24) And the woman said to Elijah, now by this I know that thou art a man of God, … She took him to be one at his first coming to her; she was in a great measure confirmed in it by the miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil;^[17] but upon the death of her son, which she was ready to impute to the prophet, she was staggered at it; but now, by [her son’s] resurrection from the dead, was fully assured of it:

and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth; she had known before that what he said concerning the meal and oil not failing was true; but now she was more and more convinced and assured that the God, whose prophet he was, was the true God, and that the religion he professed was the true religion, and he a true prophet, and that all his prophecies would be exactly fulfilled.

Just as Elijah was made known to the mother of the dead child to be a man of God through the child returning to life, so should all people examine those who come in God’s name, claiming to be of God, to see if what they say turns out actually to be the truth. No doubt, this would disqualify a great many spiritual counterfeits, who though they come in the Lord’s name and claim to speak for Him, what they say is not backed up by God—nor does what they say will come to pass actually come to pass. In contrast to spiritual counterfeits is the prophet Samuel, of whom the Lord let none of his words fall to the ground.

I Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Sam. 3:19) And Samuel grew, … Not only in years and stature, but in grace and goodness, in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, both with respect to things natural and spiritual, and in esteem, credit, and reputation among men:

and the Lord was with him; … The Targum is, “the Word of the Lord was his help;’’ the essential Word of God, the Messiah:

and did let none of his words fall to the ground (x); in allusion either to water that falls to the ground, and becomes useless, or to an arrow falling out of the bow, and to the ground, before it reaches the mark, and so unsuccessful (y); or to any weapon of war, sword or spear, falling out of the hand of the soldier, whereby he is disarmed and rendered unserviceable: and these words, according to Kimchi, and in which he is followed by Abarbinel, are to be understood, not only of the words which he spake by the Holy Ghost under a spirit of prophecy, and had their exact accomplishment; but his common words, which were spoken by weight and measure, as the last expresses it, and which were delivered out according to the rules of justice, probity, and truth; and so he failed not of performing that which he had said, or of doing what was right, whereby Israel knew he was fit, prepared, and designed to be a prophet of the Lord …

It is a sad truth that within the church and among people in general, so many deceive the masses, in both politics and religion, who are not held to any standard of being required to speak the truth. If this did occur and men were properly judged or vetted by what they spoke in regard to the truth, then we would discover a great many out of office. Undoubtedly the world has lost a love for the truth,^[18] and as a result, few today are held to the biblical standard, which reveals a person’s true inward character.

It is stated that it is impossible for God to lie. God’s people should count it as great shame if they lie. Because the devil is the father of lies and no truth is in him (v.10), the true children of God should never seek to deceive or tolerate it in others. To do so is an act of tolerating the primary characteristic of Satan himself.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

To see the contrast with God, Who cannot lie,^[19] we have the devil, who has absolutely no relationship with the truth. Ultimately, God’s enemy—Satan—can and will do nothing but lie in every situation and at every opportunity. To think that Satan could ever either embrace or speak the truth is as foolish as thinking that giving medicine to a dead man could raise him up. In reality, the devil, who is the father and author of lies, is far worse than what most can imagine, so much so that his inward character and disposition are so corrupt and defiled that Jesus pointed out that there remains absolutely no truth in him.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, John 8:44) And abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. … The word is not that which we have before had in the sense of “abide” (see Note on John 5:38^[20]), and the tense of the verb is present in meaning. The words do not refer to the fall of the devil, which is here implied but not stated, but to his constant character. He has no place in the sphere of the truth; it is not the region of his action and outer life; and the result of this is that there is no truth in the sphere of his thought and inner life

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Whereas the devil can do nothing but lie—it is impossible for God to lie.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Heb. 6:18) In which it was impossible for God to lie—That is, it would be contrary to his nature; it is not for a moment to be supposed; compare Titus 1:2, “God—that cannot lie.” The impossibility is a “moral” impossibility, and the use of the word here explains the sense in which the words “impossible, cannot,” etc., are often used in the Scriptures. The meaning here is, that such was the love of God for truth; such his holiness of character, that he “could” not speak falsely.

It is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,^[21] that is purposed to lead and guide people into the truth.^[22] This divine and holy nature will first lead those purposed to be saved to the truth of themselves and then to the reality and truth of God. Because it is the work of the Holy Spirit to guide into the truth those who possess Him, then it is implausible and actually inconceivable to believe that God is either okay with or indifferent to lying. This is confirmed in the Scripture, when it is revealed that the one who speaketh lies shall perish.

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Prov. 19:9) and he that speaketh lies shall perish; or “be lost”, shall be undone for ever; he shall not enter into the holy city, but have his part in the lake of fire: they that speak lies in hypocrisy, doctrinal ones, and are given up to believe and profess them, such shall be damned, 2 Thessalonians 2:11.^[23]

To minimize lying in any form is not to know or to refuse to admit that those who do practice lying will never be granted the gift of eternal life,^[24] just as in I Corinthians, where it is revealed that no sinner, regardless of the type of sin he practices, will enter the kingdom of God without first being washed and sanctified from his sin. Those who continue to lie will suffer the same result. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Cor. 6:9–11). Ultimately in the kingdom of God there will be no place or any refuge for any who seek to deceive their fellow man and who have neither the good conscience nor inward character to embrace and obey the truth.

Psalm 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 101:7) He that worketh deceit—The man who is dishonest—who is full of tricks, false pretences, and devices—who cannot be confided in as straight-forward and sincere—one whose word cannot be relied on—one whose course is subterranean or serpentine.

Shall not dwell within my house—Shall neither be employed in my service, nor be admitted as a guest and companion. I will not, in any way, patronise or countenance such a person.

He that telleth lies—In any way: by stating what is false; by promising what is not performed; by deceiving me in his professions. I will seek only those who love and speak the truth.

Shall not tarry in my sight—Margin, “shall not be established.” The idea is that of being confirmed or established. The sense here seems to be, that though such a person should gain admittance to his house on any pretence or profession, he should not obtain a permanent residence there. As soon as his real character was known, he would be dismissed or discharged.

***

(Benson Commentary, Ps. 101:7) He that worketh deceit—That uses any frauds or subtle artifice to deceive, abuse, or wrong any of my people; shall not dwell within my house—Though he may insinuate himself into my family, yet, as soon as he is discovered, he shall be turned out of it. He that telleth lies—Either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent; shall not tarry in my sight—I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Psalm 15:1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

² He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

The answer given as to who will dwell in thy [God’s] holy hill (v. 1) is revealed to be the one who conducts himself with the utmost integrity and manifests walking uprightly, and working righteousness, and speaking the truth in his heart. Undoubtedly it will be the upright and righteous behavior of those saved by God and their relationship with the truth that will open the door to their abiding in the Lord’s holy tabernacle, and dwelling upon God’s holy hill—teaching us that how a man lives, the manner in which he conducts his life, and his personal relationship with the truth will ultimately determine his destiny.

(Benson Commentary, Ps. 15:1) Lord, who shall, &c.—The psalmist proposes this question to God, … Who shall abide—Hebrew מי יגור, mi jagur, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle?—In thy church here, and be a true member thereof, and an acceptable worshipper of thee therein? Who shall dwell—Hebrew, ישׁכן, jishchon, shall reside, and have his constant and perpetual mansion, in thy holy hill of Zion, often put for heaven, where is the true tabernacle not made with hands, Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 21:3.^[25] Who shall be permitted and enabled so to worship thee in thy church on earth, and enjoy and improve the privileges thereof, as to dwell with thee in heaven for ever hereafter? The reader will easily observe, that the psalmist alludes to the hill of Zion, to the tabernacle of God which was thereon, and to the character of the priest who should officiate in that tabernacle. … And since the disciples of this new and great high-priest [Jesus Christ] become righteous in him, and are by the Spirit conformed to his image, the character which essentially and inherently belongs only to him will derivatively belong to them also, who must follow his steps below, if they would reign with him above.”—Horne.

Amongst the divine characteristics of walking uprightly and working righteousness, we have also listed him who speaketh the truth in his heart.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 15:2) And speaketh the truth in his heart—He uses language that is sincere, and that is in accordance with his real belief. This is opposed to all mere outward professions, and all hypocritical pretenses. His religion has its seat in the heart, and is not the religion of forms; his acts are the expressions of upright intentions and purposes, and are not performed for selfish and hypocritical ends. This is everywhere the nature of true religion.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Not only will sincere believers dwell on God’s holy hill because of their relationship with the truth, but they will also be helped and aided by Him when they call upon Him in truth. Understandably He, Who cannot lie, will respond only to the prayers, requests, hopes, and desires of those who genuinely seek him in truth. Hence, the Lord will neither hear the unfaithful and/or shallow Christian nor respond to the hypocrite, even when His own name is called upon. Because the Lord knows the hearts of all men^[26] and will judge the secrets of these same hearts through Jesus Christ,^[27] then only those who are pure in their faith will have their prayers responded to—teaching us that how we approach the Lord will directly affect whether He hears us and comes to our aid.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 145:18) To all that call upon him in truth—In sincerity; not hypocritically; worshipping him as the true God, and with a sincere desire to obtain his favor. Compare the notes at John 4:24.^[28] We can have no hope that God will hear us unless we are sincere in our worship. He sees the heart, and he will act toward us as we are, and not as we profess to be.

It is not a man’s outward religious profession or brief display of church humility that can appease the Lord or gain favor from Him—but only if He is sincerely called upon in truth. Yet many prayers, like the Pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18, are not genuinely directed toward the Lord but only to the ears of those who are praying (Luke 18:11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Stood and prayed thus with himself. In religious circles it is not uncommon, yea, is actually very common, to hear men pray to the Lord without any real deep emotional connection or affection for Him, informing us that so few have genuine trust in the Lord that even in their public prayers the Lord is not sincerely approached or genuinely called upon. This is also why there seems to be so much redundancy in the house of God when it involves worship and public prayer, simply because for most, the public display of praying seems to be enough, even if those same prayers never get answered. This is also because most are not spiritually intuitive enough to know, or actually to examine, if God does for them what they ask. Again, for the majority, merely going through religious motion is more than sufficient to satisfy their spiritual standard for holiness.

I John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Understandably, the first lie that should be put off by those who claim to follow the Son of God is that lie—in which fellowship with the Lord is inferred yet not actually possessed.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I John 1:6) To do the truth is to act in accordance with truth; and the expression here means that such an one could not be a Christian. And yet how many there are who are living in known sin who profess to be Christians! How many whose minds are dark on the whole subject of religion, who have never known anything of the real peace and joy which it imparts, who nevertheless entertain the belief that they are the friends of God, and are going to heaven! They trust in a name, in forms, in conformity to external rites, and have never known anything of the internal peace and purity which religion imparts, and in fact have never had any true fellowship with that God who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all.^[29]

I John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

To claim to know God yet not keep His commandments proves the claimer a liar. Honesty in the spiritual life is also one of the great determiners of whether truth really abides in a man’s heart or if it is simply professed to be held.^[30]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I John 2:4) He that saith, I know Him—He who professes to be acquainted with the Saviour, or who professes to be a Christian.

And keepeth not his commandments—What he has appointed to be observed by his people; that is, he who does not obey him.

Is a liar—Makes a false profession; professes to have that which he really has not. Such a profession is a falsehood, because there can be no true religion where one does not obey the law of God.

The commandments spoken of directly refer to the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ—He, Whom the apostle John sought to declare to the world.^[31] Most are familiar with Jesus’ first two commandments,^[32] yet the Scripture is replete with other commands that Jesus gave His followers. A few of these are included in the notes below.^[33]

All religion is at its core a choice, a choice to lie and live a lie—or to seek the truth and ultimately speak it. These two distinct and different paths are not forced upon men—they are simply offered to them.

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 119:30) I have chosen the way of truth—Among all the paths of life I have selected this. I prefer this. I desire to walk in this.

***

(Pulpit Commentary, Ps. 119:30) I have chosen the way of truth. The converse of “the way of lying” (ver. 29^[34]), [I have chosen] the path of true religion, of faithfulness and steadfastness to God.

To choose the way of truth is a choice, just as those who have chosen to lie and deceive have made their choice. Ultimately nobody but ourselves makes the decision of how we are going to live, either righteously, or unrighteously, and whether or not we place God’s judgments before us, determined to live by them. Sinners will have no excuse at the day of the Lord’s judgment simply because how they lived will be openly revealed by what they choose.

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^[1]  Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

^[2]  Eph. 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

^[3]  Eph. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

^[4]  Prov. 6:16–19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prov. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Prov. 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

^[5]  Isa. 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

^[6]  Ezek. 48:11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

Ps. 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Ps. 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Prov. 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

^[7]  II Thess. 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

^[8]  Deut. 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Isa. 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

^[9]  Jas. 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Gal. 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

^[10]  Col. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Prov. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Prov. 6:16–19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

^[11]  I Kgs. 17:8–9 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

Luke 4:25–26 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; ²⁶But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

^[12]  Isa. 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

^[13]  John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

^[14]  II Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

^[15]  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

^[16]  I Kgs. 17:14–16 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. ¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. ¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

^[17]  I Kgs. 17:8–16 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. ¹⁰So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. ¹¹And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. ¹²And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. ¹³And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. ¹⁴For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. ¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. ¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

^[18]  II Thess. 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

^[19]  Tit. 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Heb. 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

^[20]  John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

^[21]  John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

^[22]  John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

^[23]  II Thess. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

^[24]  John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

I John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

^[25]  Heb. 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Heb. 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Rev. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

^[26]  Jer. 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Heb. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Ps. 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Ps. 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

I Kgs. 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

I Chrn. 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

^[27]  Rom. 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

^[28]  John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

^[29]  I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

^[30]  Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

^[31]  I John 1:1–3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ²(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) ³That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John 20:30–31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: ³¹But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

^[32]  Mark 12:28–31 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

^[33]  John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Matt. 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matt. 5:29–30 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt. 5:40–42 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. ⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Matt. 5:43–45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matt. 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matt. 6:19–21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matt. 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Matt. 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matt. 7:13–14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matt. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matt. 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Matt. 23:8–12 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. ⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. ¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. ¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matt. 18:15–17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matt. 28:19–20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 9:38–40 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. ³⁹But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. ⁴⁰For he that is not against us is on our part.

Mark 11:22–24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ²³For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ²⁴Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Luke 22:19–20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

^[34]  Ps. 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

In the context of putting off the old man, and his deceitful lusts (v. 22^[1]), and putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (v. 24^[2]), we have the first practical implementation of how this can be accomplished. It is that believers should immediately commence in putting away lying and speak every man truth with his neighbour. None should think themselves above this command, and every man should be bound to the revelation revealed here. To walk with God and maintain any true fellowship with Him, every child of God must put away lying and embrace what it is to walk in the light^[3] and speak the truth.

In contrast to lying, which the Lord hates,^[4] there is the truth, which every child of God both needs and should embrace. Contrasting the two, speaking the truth and lying are certainly the most visible and apparent characteristics that separate the saved from the unsaved.

Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 58:3) They go astray—The Hebrew word used here means to go astray, to wander, to err. It is used in reference to drunken persons who reel, Isaiah 28:7;^[5] and to the soul, as erring or wandering from the paths of truth and piety, Ezekiel 48:11; Psalm 95:10; Psalm 119:110; Proverbs 21:16.^[6] The “manner” in which the persons here referred to did this, is indicated here by their “speaking lies.”

As soon as they be born—Margin, as in Hebrew, “from the belly.” The meaning is, not that they speak lies “as soon as” they are born, which could not be literally true, but that this is the “first act.” The first thing “done” is not an act of holiness, but an act of sin—showing what is in the heart.

Speaking lies—They are false in their statements; false in their promises; false in their general character. This is one of the forms of sin, indicating original depravity; and it is undoubtedly selected here because this was particularly manifested by the enemies of David. They were false, perfidious, and could not be trusted. If it be proved, therefore, that all people are wicked, then “this” passage becomes a proper and an important text to demonstrate that this wickedness is not the result of temptation or example, but that it is the expression of the depravity of the heart by nature; that the tendency of man by nature is not to goodness, but to sin; that the first developments of character are sinful; that there is something lying of sinful acts in people which makes it certain that they will act as they do; and that this always manifests itself in the first acts which they perform.

It is critical for spiritual trust to be developed in the body of Christ. That truth is loved,^[7] embraced, and spoken by its members. Just as a lie erodes confidence in another, speaking the truth assures others that our hearts and motives are pure toward them. Understandably, we cannot place any real trust in those we suspect are lying to us and are in some form seeking to deceive. The believer’s relationship with the truth therefore reveals not only his own true inward character but also that he is concerned enough for others to avoid deceiving them—simply because liars at their core are selfish, seeking their own advantages and caring little for those they have sought to deceive. For no man will lie or seek to deceive others unless he deems it as some form of profit to himself.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Eph. 4:25) Truth is the first condition of the mutual confidence which is the basis of all unity.

***

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:25) No professing Christian can do any good who has not an unimpeachable character for integrity and truth—and yet who can lay his hand on his breast and say before God that he is in all cases a man that speaks the simple and unvarnished truth?

What people embrace reveals who they are. If it is the God of truth,^[8] and truth in general, then we can know they are of God and that God is in them. But if any profess to know the Lord Jesus and remain in the habit of lying, either to themselves^[9] or others,^[10] spiritual separation from God is clearly revealed. We can be certain that he who does not religiously hold to truth in every manner of his life, whether it is believing it, speaking it, or living it, does not know the Lord or the true character of His being.

A commonly known record in the Old Testament regards one of the Lord’s prophets, Elijah, who, through speaking the truth, revealed himself as an actual man of God, one sent by God.^[11] Through the prophet’s words being proven right, his legitimate spiritual ministry was confirmed, teaching us that through truth a man’s true inward character and spiritual ministry can be made known. Through others speaking the truth, those who do not know God can be brought to ultimately learn of Him as the God of truth,^[12] the same God Who also associates Himself with the Spirit of truth,^[13] the Word of truth,^[14] and the Son, Who revealed, I am the truth.^[15]

I Kings 17:17–24 And it came to pass after these things,^[[16]] that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

¹⁸ And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

¹⁹ And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

²⁰ And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

²¹ And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.

²² And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

²³ And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

²⁴ And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Kgs. 17:24) And the woman said to Elijah, now by this I know that thou art a man of God, … She took him to be one at his first coming to her; she was in a great measure confirmed in it by the miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil;^[17] but upon the death of her son, which she was ready to impute to the prophet, she was staggered at it; but now, by [her son’s] resurrection from the dead, was fully assured of it:

and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth; she had known before that what he said concerning the meal and oil not failing was true; but now she was more and more convinced and assured that the God, whose prophet he was, was the true God, and that the religion he professed was the true religion, and he a true prophet, and that all his prophecies would be exactly fulfilled.

Just as Elijah was made known to the mother of the dead child to be a man of God through the child returning to life, so should all people examine those who come in God’s name, claiming to be of God, to see if what they say turns out actually to be the truth. No doubt, this would disqualify a great many spiritual counterfeits, who though they come in the Lord’s name and claim to speak for Him, what they say is not backed up by God—nor does what they say will come to pass actually come to pass. In contrast to spiritual counterfeits is the prophet Samuel, of whom the Lord let none of his words fall to the ground.

I Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Sam. 3:19) And Samuel grew, … Not only in years and stature, but in grace and goodness, in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, both with respect to things natural and spiritual, and in esteem, credit, and reputation among men:

and the Lord was with him; … The Targum is, “the Word of the Lord was his help;’’ the essential Word of God, the Messiah:

and did let none of his words fall to the ground (x); in allusion either to water that falls to the ground, and becomes useless, or to an arrow falling out of the bow, and to the ground, before it reaches the mark, and so unsuccessful (y); or to any weapon of war, sword or spear, falling out of the hand of the soldier, whereby he is disarmed and rendered unserviceable: and these words, according to Kimchi, and in which he is followed by Abarbinel, are to be understood, not only of the words which he spake by the Holy Ghost under a spirit of prophecy, and had their exact accomplishment; but his common words, which were spoken by weight and measure, as the last expresses it, and which were delivered out according to the rules of justice, probity, and truth; and so he failed not of performing that which he had said, or of doing what was right, whereby Israel knew he was fit, prepared, and designed to be a prophet of the Lord …

It is a sad truth that within the church and among people in general, so many deceive the masses, in both politics and religion, who are not held to any standard of being required to speak the truth. If this did occur and men were properly judged or vetted by what they spoke in regard to the truth, then we would discover a great many out of office. Undoubtedly the world has lost a love for the truth,^[18] and as a result, few today are held to the biblical standard, which reveals a person’s true inward character.

It is stated that it is impossible for God to lie. God’s people should count it as great shame if they lie. Because the devil is the father of lies and no truth is in him (v.10), the true children of God should never seek to deceive or tolerate it in others. To do so is an act of tolerating the primary characteristic of Satan himself.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

To see the contrast with God, Who cannot lie,^[19] we have the devil, who has absolutely no relationship with the truth. Ultimately, God’s enemy—Satan—can and will do nothing but lie in every situation and at every opportunity. To think that Satan could ever either embrace or speak the truth is as foolish as thinking that giving medicine to a dead man could raise him up. In reality, the devil, who is the father and author of lies, is far worse than what most can imagine, so much so that his inward character and disposition are so corrupt and defiled that Jesus pointed out that there remains absolutely no truth in him.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, John 8:44) And abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. … The word is not that which we have before had in the sense of “abide” (see Note on John 5:38^[20]), and the tense of the verb is present in meaning. The words do not refer to the fall of the devil, which is here implied but not stated, but to his constant character. He has no place in the sphere of the truth; it is not the region of his action and outer life; and the result of this is that there is no truth in the sphere of his thought and inner life

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Whereas the devil can do nothing but lie—it is impossible for God to lie.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Heb. 6:18) In which it was impossible for God to lie—That is, it would be contrary to his nature; it is not for a moment to be supposed; compare Titus 1:2, “God—that cannot lie.” The impossibility is a “moral” impossibility, and the use of the word here explains the sense in which the words “impossible, cannot,” etc., are often used in the Scriptures. The meaning here is, that such was the love of God for truth; such his holiness of character, that he “could” not speak falsely.

It is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,^[21] that is purposed to lead and guide people into the truth.^[22] This divine and holy nature will first lead those purposed to be saved to the truth of themselves and then to the reality and truth of God. Because it is the work of the Holy Spirit to guide into the truth those who possess Him, then it is implausible and actually inconceivable to believe that God is either okay with or indifferent to lying. This is confirmed in the Scripture, when it is revealed that the one who speaketh lies shall perish.

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Prov. 19:9) and he that speaketh lies shall perish; or “be lost”, shall be undone for ever; he shall not enter into the holy city, but have his part in the lake of fire: they that speak lies in hypocrisy, doctrinal ones, and are given up to believe and profess them, such shall be damned, 2 Thessalonians 2:11.^[23]

To minimize lying in any form is not to know or to refuse to admit that those who do practice lying will never be granted the gift of eternal life,^[24] just as in I Corinthians, where it is revealed that no sinner, regardless of the type of sin he practices, will enter the kingdom of God without first being washed and sanctified from his sin. Those who continue to lie will suffer the same result. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Cor. 6:9–11). Ultimately in the kingdom of God there will be no place or any refuge for any who seek to deceive their fellow man and who have neither the good conscience nor inward character to embrace and obey the truth.

Psalm 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 101:7) He that worketh deceit—The man who is dishonest—who is full of tricks, false pretences, and devices—who cannot be confided in as straight-forward and sincere—one whose word cannot be relied on—one whose course is subterranean or serpentine.

Shall not dwell within my house—Shall neither be employed in my service, nor be admitted as a guest and companion. I will not, in any way, patronise or countenance such a person.

He that telleth lies—In any way: by stating what is false; by promising what is not performed; by deceiving me in his professions. I will seek only those who love and speak the truth.

Shall not tarry in my sight—Margin, “shall not be established.” The idea is that of being confirmed or established. The sense here seems to be, that though such a person should gain admittance to his house on any pretence or profession, he should not obtain a permanent residence there. As soon as his real character was known, he would be dismissed or discharged.

***

(Benson Commentary, Ps. 101:7) He that worketh deceit—That uses any frauds or subtle artifice to deceive, abuse, or wrong any of my people; shall not dwell within my house—Though he may insinuate himself into my family, yet, as soon as he is discovered, he shall be turned out of it. He that telleth lies—Either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent; shall not tarry in my sight—I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Psalm 15:1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

² He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

The answer given as to who will dwell in thy [God’s] holy hill (v. 1) is revealed to be the one who conducts himself with the utmost integrity and manifests walking uprightly, and working righteousness, and speaking the truth in his heart. Undoubtedly it will be the upright and righteous behavior of those saved by God and their relationship with the truth that will open the door to their abiding in the Lord’s holy tabernacle, and dwelling upon God’s holy hill—teaching us that how a man lives, the manner in which he conducts his life, and his personal relationship with the truth will ultimately determine his destiny.

(Benson Commentary, Ps. 15:1) Lord, who shall, &c.—The psalmist proposes this question to God, … Who shall abide—Hebrew מי יגור, mi jagur, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle?—In thy church here, and be a true member thereof, and an acceptable worshipper of thee therein? Who shall dwell—Hebrew, ישׁכן, jishchon, shall reside, and have his constant and perpetual mansion, in thy holy hill of Zion, often put for heaven, where is the true tabernacle not made with hands, Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 21:3.^[25] Who shall be permitted and enabled so to worship thee in thy church on earth, and enjoy and improve the privileges thereof, as to dwell with thee in heaven for ever hereafter? The reader will easily observe, that the psalmist alludes to the hill of Zion, to the tabernacle of God which was thereon, and to the character of the priest who should officiate in that tabernacle. … And since the disciples of this new and great high-priest [Jesus Christ] become righteous in him, and are by the Spirit conformed to his image, the character which essentially and inherently belongs only to him will derivatively belong to them also, who must follow his steps below, if they would reign with him above.”—Horne.

Amongst the divine characteristics of walking uprightly and working righteousness, we have also listed him who speaketh the truth in his heart.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 15:2) And speaketh the truth in his heart—He uses language that is sincere, and that is in accordance with his real belief. This is opposed to all mere outward professions, and all hypocritical pretenses. His religion has its seat in the heart, and is not the religion of forms; his acts are the expressions of upright intentions and purposes, and are not performed for selfish and hypocritical ends. This is everywhere the nature of true religion.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Not only will sincere believers dwell on God’s holy hill because of their relationship with the truth, but they will also be helped and aided by Him when they call upon Him in truth. Understandably He, Who cannot lie, will respond only to the prayers, requests, hopes, and desires of those who genuinely seek him in truth. Hence, the Lord will neither hear the unfaithful and/or shallow Christian nor respond to the hypocrite, even when His own name is called upon. Because the Lord knows the hearts of all men^[26] and will judge the secrets of these same hearts through Jesus Christ,^[27] then only those who are pure in their faith will have their prayers responded to—teaching us that how we approach the Lord will directly affect whether He hears us and comes to our aid.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 145:18) To all that call upon him in truth—In sincerity; not hypocritically; worshipping him as the true God, and with a sincere desire to obtain his favor. Compare the notes at John 4:24.^[28] We can have no hope that God will hear us unless we are sincere in our worship. He sees the heart, and he will act toward us as we are, and not as we profess to be.

It is not a man’s outward religious profession or brief display of church humility that can appease the Lord or gain favor from Him—but only if He is sincerely called upon in truth. Yet many prayers, like the Pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18, are not genuinely directed toward the Lord but only to the ears of those who are praying (Luke 18:11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Stood and prayed thus with himself. In religious circles it is not uncommon, yea, is actually very common, to hear men pray to the Lord without any real deep emotional connection or affection for Him, informing us that so few have genuine trust in the Lord that even in their public prayers the Lord is not sincerely approached or genuinely called upon. This is also why there seems to be so much redundancy in the house of God when it involves worship and public prayer, simply because for most, the public display of praying seems to be enough, even if those same prayers never get answered. This is also because most are not spiritually intuitive enough to know, or actually to examine, if God does for them what they ask. Again, for the majority, merely going through religious motion is more than sufficient to satisfy their spiritual standard for holiness.

I John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Understandably, the first lie that should be put off by those who claim to follow the Son of God is that lie—in which fellowship with the Lord is inferred yet not actually possessed.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I John 1:6) To do the truth is to act in accordance with truth; and the expression here means that such an one could not be a Christian. And yet how many there are who are living in known sin who profess to be Christians! How many whose minds are dark on the whole subject of religion, who have never known anything of the real peace and joy which it imparts, who nevertheless entertain the belief that they are the friends of God, and are going to heaven! They trust in a name, in forms, in conformity to external rites, and have never known anything of the internal peace and purity which religion imparts, and in fact have never had any true fellowship with that God who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all.^[29]

I John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

To claim to know God yet not keep His commandments proves the claimer a liar. Honesty in the spiritual life is also one of the great determiners of whether truth really abides in a man’s heart or if it is simply professed to be held.^[30]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I John 2:4) He that saith, I know Him—He who professes to be acquainted with the Saviour, or who professes to be a Christian.

And keepeth not his commandments—What he has appointed to be observed by his people; that is, he who does not obey him.

Is a liar—Makes a false profession; professes to have that which he really has not. Such a profession is a falsehood, because there can be no true religion where one does not obey the law of God.

The commandments spoken of directly refer to the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ—He, Whom the apostle John sought to declare to the world.^[31] Most are familiar with Jesus’ first two commandments,^[32] yet the Scripture is replete with other commands that Jesus gave His followers. A few of these are included in the notes below.^[33]

All religion is at its core a choice, a choice to lie and live a lie—or to seek the truth and ultimately speak it. These two distinct and different paths are not forced upon men—they are simply offered to them.

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Ps. 119:30) I have chosen the way of truth—Among all the paths of life I have selected this. I prefer this. I desire to walk in this.

***

(Pulpit Commentary, Ps. 119:30) I have chosen the way of truth. The converse of “the way of lying” (ver. 29^[34]), [I have chosen] the path of true religion, of faithfulness and steadfastness to God.

To choose the way of truth is a choice, just as those who have chosen to lie and deceive have made their choice. Ultimately nobody but ourselves makes the decision of how we are going to live, either righteously, or unrighteously, and whether or not we place God’s judgments before us, determined to live by them. Sinners will have no excuse at the day of the Lord’s judgment simply because how they lived will be openly revealed by what they choose.

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^[1]  Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

^[2]  Eph. 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

^[3]  Eph. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

^[4]  Prov. 6:16–19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prov. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Prov. 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

^[5]  Isa. 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

^[6]  Ezek. 48:11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

Ps. 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Ps. 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Prov. 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

^[7]  II Thess. 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

^[8]  Deut. 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Isa. 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

^[9]  Jas. 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Gal. 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

^[10]  Col. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Prov. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Prov. 6:16–19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

^[11]  I Kgs. 17:8–9 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

Luke 4:25–26 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; ²⁶But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

^[12]  Isa. 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

^[13]  John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

^[14]  II Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

^[15]  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

^[16]  I Kgs. 17:14–16 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. ¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. ¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

^[17]  I Kgs. 17:8–16 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. ¹⁰So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. ¹¹And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. ¹²And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. ¹³And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. ¹⁴For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. ¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. ¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

^[18]  II Thess. 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

^[19]  Tit. 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Heb. 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

^[20]  John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

^[21]  John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

^[22]  John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

^[23]  II Thess. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

^[24]  John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

I John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

^[25]  Heb. 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Heb. 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Rev. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

^[26]  Jer. 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Heb. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Ps. 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Ps. 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

I Kgs. 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

I Chrn. 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

^[27]  Rom. 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

^[28]  John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

^[29]  I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

^[30]  Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

^[31]  I John 1:1–3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ²(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) ³That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John 20:30–31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: ³¹But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

^[32]  Mark 12:28–31 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

^[33]  John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Matt. 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matt. 5:29–30 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt. 5:40–42 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. ⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Matt. 5:43–45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matt. 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matt. 6:19–21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matt. 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Matt. 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matt. 7:13–14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matt. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matt. 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Matt. 23:8–12 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. ⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. ¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. ¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matt. 18:15–17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matt. 28:19–20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 9:38–40 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. ³⁹But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. ⁴⁰For he that is not against us is on our part.

Mark 11:22–24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ²³For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ²⁴Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Luke 22:19–20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

^[34]  Ps. 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.