People would rather see a sermon than hear one; powerful meaning behind those few words. We’ve all heard it said that your actions speak louder than words AND scripture tells us that out of the mouth, the abundance of the heart speaks. In plain simple words…Listen long enough to someone and their true self will be revealed by the words they speak. Together, well, it can be like the old One-Two punch. However, no one can walk in victory while they speak defeat.
Our talk and our walk must line up with the Word of God. Any one that has spent time reading scripture can repeat the essence of them to you but the words ring hollow when their actions are shouting out another message. Mixed signals confuse. People absorb and take on that with which they live. Consider the poem below, while it talks of children learning it is also talking of the lives being walked out in front of them.
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
In Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV) we read: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Notice the scripture tells us to think about the good, pure, noble, praiseworthy…..and to “put it into practice” in our own lives. It’s basically telling us to put our words into action…walk out our talk and thoughts. We can not sit by passively and expect our thoughts and actions to take care of themselves. We must ‘purpose’ to monitor what we think about, what we feed our hearts. Leading a double life with one foot in the Bible and the other in the world is a sure way to scream out mixed signals. The Bible does not say we are defeated, our words should not either! The Bible says we are victorious in Christ, our actions should say the same. The same One-Two punch I mentioned before. Our thoughts give life to our words and our actions play out what is in our hearts which is fed by our thoughts! It can be a circle of life or a circle of dysfunction and defeat. We can be a walking talking sermon or a walking talking disaster looking for a place to happen!
Stand guard diligently, Friends, over your heart, thoughts and actions…..you never know who will be watching the sermon you are presenting.
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