What Message Are We Sending When Our Actions Speak Louder than Words?
Good Morning Friends,
I would so like to use words to change things. It is so much simpler. But that is not the way it works. Research experts tell us we communicate only 7% with our words, 35% with our tone of voice and 58% with our actions. Sharing information about how God has engaged us in His Kingdom and love is a seemingly impossible challenge without loving actions. The do as I say, not as I do routine just does not cut it. The gap between what we mean to say and what people ultimately say about what we actually said can be huge. To fill in the gap, especially when it comes to our relationship with God, we need actions for others to understand precisely what is in our head and heart. And we do so hope that really honors God. So today we ask: What Message Are We Sending When Our Actions Speak Louder than Words?
Scripture: Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 (NRSV)
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
1 John 3:18 (NRSV)
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.
Matthew 12:34-35 (NRSV)
Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?
Luke 6:46 (NRSV)
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
James 1:22 (NRSV)
Message: It is a sad commentary on Christians that profess to be godly people but have actions that show otherwise. Jesus raised the great question in today’s passage from Luke. And then in today’s passage from John we see how Jesus responds to the betrayal of Judas with a command to love. It was a tense moment in the upper room after Judas left. Frankly I am not sure the disciples knew what was going on, communication is difficult in the best of situations. But when Satan takes control as he did of Judas watch out. Death and denial are soon to follow. Certainly the actions being shared by Jesus in the face of betrayal speak louder than any words. Friends, God has been communicating with us since we were born. One would think that we would be better at it. The reality is that sometimes words do not cut it. Anger has consequences…escalating a situation has consequences. Words today are cheap. We need to increase their value through relevant actions that glorify God. We are to learn to speak words of love backed up by actions of love. Friends, what we do is more important than what we say.
Pray we listen. Pray we are honest. Pray we think before we speak. Pray we be kind in what we say. Pray we respond in ways that will let others know we are Christians. Pray we learn by doing. Pray our hearts are purified and persuaded and prepared to be passionate about the reality that God has pardoned us so we might practice love. Pray we are not hung by our tongue. Pray we realize that we need each other so that our choices and actions can combine to glorify God in love for one another. Pray we not let evil get the best of us, but conquer evil by doing good. Pray we set good examples. Pray we are forgiven when our actions deny Christ. Pray we learn to love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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