Action Speaks Louder than Words ~ Living with Integrity

Keeping it real ~  this dirt road reminds me of home ~ photo courtesy of Wanda White


 

The other day, I read again the expression "walk the walk and talk the talk" , which is all about living with integrity.  And I thought about how often we don't live up to our ideals.

All too often we talk (preach) one way, and walk (live) something entirely different.

We preach love and live indifference.

We preach mercy and live condemnation.

We preach holiness and live hypocrisy.

We preach grace and live judgment.

So, today, I want to bring you a meditation on this theme.  It's an excerpt from my devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments. 

 

Action Speaks Louder than Words

 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 (NIV) 

Our actions communicate.  Even in subtle ways, our body language reveals our unspoken feelings.  When actions and words don’t jibe, we pick up on that incongruence.  The bottom line is actions trump words. 

 

Leave it to American writer and humorist Mark Twain to quip, “Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often”.  Not only does this adage hold true on a practical level, but also on a spiritual level.

Jesus said, “Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).  These words of our Lord cause me to pause and reflect. 

 

 Lip service does not impress God.  Our actions reveal our love for Him.  

 

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:21).  He takes it personally when we show kindness and love to our neighbor.  He wants us to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, take care of the sick and destitute (see James 2:15-16).  Three times, Jesus asked Simon Peter how much he loved Him.  When Simon Peter answered Him each time, Jesus responded with an imperative: “Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep” (Mt. 25:35-36).  Jesus expects love to result in action. 

John said, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).  Let’s not be guilty, as Mark Twain pointed out, of speaking so much more than doing.

 

The grandkids bringing birthday cake

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  It means so much to me that you would take time to read this. 

Just a brief note to let you know that my devotional ~ God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea ~ is on sale right now at the lowest prices ever on Amazon, in paperback and kindle version.  If you don't order online, ask your local Barnes and Noble or Christian bookstore to order it for you.  You'll be blessed.