25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Where Paul said "put off" in verse twenty-two, he says "put away" in verse twenty-five, but this time lists one specific sin: lying. It has been said that all sin is some form of selfishness, but it could also be said that all sin is also lying, as it is in opposition to the truth.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
In verse twenty-four, Paul exhorts us with the overarching directive to put on the new man. He follows that with statements that illustrate what that means practically. Verse twenty-five addresses lying, and here in verse twenty-six he addresses anger. Interestingly, anger is not wholly condemned – there is a time and place for anger that is appropriate and without sin (for examples, see John 2:15-17 and Exodus 4:14). The directive here is not to allow anger to persist. Anger left to simmer will eventually boil out of control, and could lead to bitterness or undue violence.
The colons here in verses 26-27 are interesting in that they suggest a successive sequence. The colons seem to say "because if you don't." If your anger turns to sin, then wrath will be the result, and if wrath proceeds, then you have given the devil a base of operation from which to more effectively tempt you to greater wickedness.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
These are more practical points on how to put on the new man. Paul has addressed lying and anger, and now addresses theft. Much like the previous two, Paul does not leave it at "don't do this" but goes on to suggest the alternative appropriate for the new man. It is also worth noting that Paul is speaking to saved people – they were not yet rid of their sinful tendencies and habits any more than we are who are saved today. For anyone to suggest sinless perfection is the state of the born-again believer on earth is absurd.
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