Careful Consideration

As we think about the things we say, we must be very careful about what comes out of our mouths. These words will judge us. Either what we say is in accordance with how we act, or it is not. We are either people of integrity, or we are hypocrites. The Scriptures bear this out in that they call those of us who are Christ Followers to be, at the very core of who we are, real. That is not to say, "perfect," because we will never attain to that (the Apostle Paul didn't either). But if we are who we say we are, and we live out the things we say we believe, then that goes a long way to showing the world that Jesus is who He claims to be.

So today, I want to challenge you to take careful consideration of what you are saying to people. Because if you call yourself a Christ Follower, then there is a certain amount of activity in your life that needs to be demonstrating that. Last week we spoke about the fact that our actions will demonstrate to the world that we really are who and what we say we are. This is what we are talking about here again. We must be careful that what we do matches what we say, and what we say matches what we do.

So how about it, Christ Follower? Are you doing and living in a way that backs up what you say you believe? Is the truth of your words born out in your actions? Or are you hypocrite? There really isn't a choice if we want to see the world won for Jesus Christ.

Feel free to comment below about some of the things that you are dealing with in your life where your actions aren't lining up with your words. And we will see you on Sunday!

Hypocrites

This week is our final week in James chapter 1. We will be looking at the final two verses of this chapter, so to get a head start feel free to read over this section several times before Sunday. If you want to read it in several different versions of Scripture, then click here. We will mostly be talking on Sunday about our tongue and how we can learn to tame it, and why.

But today, I want us to focus on something else this passage has to say. This passage tells us that if we fail to control what comes out of our mouths, it will be our undoing. Now I know we live in a society where the 3 second sound bite is all the rage. We take things out of context and "spin" it to fit our own agenda. And as such, many in the public eye are careful about what they say. But the truth of the matter is that our words will do one of two things. They will either prove that what we have to say is true, or they will prove us to be hypocrites.

Hypocrisy is one of the biggest reasons people use to stay away from the church. They say the church is full of them, and if that's the case, why should they be a part of it. My usual reaction to this comment is, "Yep! I agree." Usually I get a sideways glance, but then I get to tell them why I agree with them.

Generally it is because all of us have an issue in this area. We all say one thing, when what is true is something totally different. Even those of us who claim to be totally honest will fib about something to keep feelings from being hurt or from getting ourselves into trouble. We do it without thinking about it because it is a part of how we are built...with a natural bent to sin.

So, in essence, we are all hypocrites. We all say one thing and then do another. We are sinners...plain and simple. So if you call me a hypocrite, I'm not going to argue with you. But I will encourage you to admit your own hypocrisy. And when you do, then perhaps we can start having conversations that will lead us toward the holiness that God wants for us as believers.

I don't know...it's just something I thought about today.

Comment below and we will see you on Sunday!