Words Matter …

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.                                                                                                    James 2:14-17

Words matter, but actions matter more. What do I mean by that. Leading by example is one instance of this saying. “Do what I say, not what I do” is sort of the opposite example that makes the point. Words and actions must match in order to have real power and meaning.

There are studies which show that people pay more attention to eye contact and body language than to the words spoken. We somehow intrinsically trust the actions that are congruent with the words spoken.

If those do not match, we are suspicious, or downright skeptical about the truth of the speaker. Often, we somehow unconsciously look for “tells’ in people to see if they are bluffing or telling the truth. Ask a poker player about that one.

The point I am making is that Christians must have an “orthopraxy” (right practices) that matches their “orthodoxy” (right belief). That is, good belief is not good enough without practices that confirm the truths espoused.  

So, if we see people talking a good game, but not performing loving practices, we should be on guard, waiting for the fruit of the Spirit to show up.

Prayer: Lord, make us people of action to show your love, Amen