More and more I have people around me ‘talking’.
Talking or Walking?
Many are what I refer to as ‘surface thinkers’, looking for answers. “Do you have a book on….?” Or, did such and such (their fav author) write on ….?” Sometimes one person will start talking to another in the store about theology or a translation and others near by jump in …. everyone’s “talking” . I wish they could stand back and see themselves as the world sees them and hear the comments I hear.
The young girl in her booty shorts, expensive designer top and purse … bare middle with ‘button ring’ dangling wants a book on finding a godly man. The young mother asks for a parenting book for her younger sister who is expecting her first child, while her own three children are running unattended in the store destroying merchandise. The middle age guy who reeks of smoke, impatiently demands attention and wants help to select a Bible for his graduating high school son whom he fears is going down the wrong path … he utters an expletive over the price of a leather-bound. One of my favorites was the grandmother who was in buying VBS materials because she was ‘in charge once again this year’. She had two grandchildren with her she could not control and in a few weeks she would be in charge of 50?
God gave us His manual, His Word, the Holy Bible. Everything that I write and all the books, Bible Studies and resources are tools He provides through His children to help. Sometimes I just want to scream, “have you read the Manual first?” Daily, if you read His word then your talk will become your walk. If you are going to talk the talk, read the Manual first:
Isaiah 55:11(NASB) “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
The world, your children, other Christians (weaker and stronger) see your walk which can negate your talk. If you are not seeing the results you want in your job, your children, your friends … maybe your walk is not in alignment with your talk. Go back to the Manual, searching out other tools is fine but, not if they replace the manual. Take a serious look at yourself (maybe even in the mirror), what do others see … hear? What is the reality of your talk? If you dare, ask a close Christian friend, a spouse, a parent … does your walk match your talk?
Psalm 19:14(NASB) “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Philippians 4:8(ESV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Matthew 9:16(KJV) “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.”
Ephesians 4:22-24(HCSB) “you took off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on the new man, the one created according to God’s [likeness] in righteousness and purity of the truth.”
If your walk is not matching your talk, then you are holding the ‘old man’.
Walker or Talker?
Lights in the Storm 