How often do you tell someone you are going to do something and then don’t do it? Do you make promises and then not follow through? Do you give your word, your commitment to do something, and then break it? If what you say and what you do, don’t line up, you will find that people start to distrust what you say.
As a follower of Christ, it is doubly important for what we say and what we do to line up. We already stand in a place of judgment; we are judged by the world due to those who have said one thing and done others. These type of behaviors start to rule what people think. How often do you hear the word “Christian” followed by some unsavory comment? Or “oh, you’re a Christian…” as if it is a bad word? This has happened because of the actions of individuals who are known or very publicly doing something to disgrace the title.
When someone is called out on what they are doing, whether it be a high profile pastor or just a neighbor, often the term ‘not perfect just forgiven’ gets repeated over and over. It isn’t that we are perfect. We are not. ALL fall short. However, it is important that what at least attempt to have our words line up with our actions. We shouldn’t try to ‘see what we can get away with’.
For some people, the idea that our Creator sees our every move and knows our thoughts is enough; for others, it is like balancing on a thin blade. It is not an easy thing to do. Rather than say you are going to do something that you have no intention of doing; let your no be no and your yes be yes. Don’t give your word to do something just because you think that the other person isn’t going to like you. Or they will judge you or …
Too often we fall to what others believe and we say the things that we think they want to hear. We don’t know their minds. Sure, we might make someone upset by saying, ‘no’. Isn’t it better to be honest with your word? Rather than say yes, for something you have no intention of doing, just to agree with them and then later let them down, why not be upfront and say that you don’t want to do it? Who is your honesty hurting? The answer is no one. Honesty may hurt at the moment; you may upset someone or hurt someone with it. You have to be careful about how you say things. Once your words are out, they are like pillow feathers in the wind, you won’t get them back.
Yet it is better, to be honest, and upfront, rather than disappoint someone by agreeing for the sake of agreement and then doing something different than you said you would. Actions speak louder than words. Your words are your contract, your actions are your bond. So say what you mean and mean what you say. If we are to be a light to the world, we need to be truthful with our responses, so that our words and actions line up. It is better to say no and not do something than say yes and not do it. For by saying no, we are being truthful and our words and actions line up. By saying no and then still doing it, our words and actions are different and people learn they can’t trust what we say we will do. These type of things throw doubt and mistrust not only on our selves but when we are representing Christ and sharing His love with others. How can they believe what you say about Him if what you have said and done in the past are two different things?
Now is a good time to think about and examine yourself. To do a course correction, if needed. To pray for strength to help change your words and actions, if you, like many of us, have fallen victim to doing and saying different things.
In the end, God knows our hearts and minds, we will all answer for our actions at some point. If you had to stand before Him today, could you do so with a clear conscience? Our God is a loving and forgiving Father. Don’t be afraid to stand before Him, to ask forgiveness and work on growing in His love and His grace.