Walk the Talk

“Sure, I’d love to help!” Not really, but I don’t want to sound rude.

“Yes, I have plenty of time to work on that last-minute project!” I’m going to have to work overtime now because I’m swamped. Ugh.

“I’m so sorry I hurt your feelings.” Why are you so thin skinned? 

“I’m sorry you’re going through a hard time.” Suck it up, buttercup, like the rest of us.

How often do we say things we don’t really mean? It’s easy to say meaningless words to many people and things. 

In Romans 10, Paul makes clear that we cannot just give lip service to God. We’ve got to believe with our hearts, and then we’ve got to put hands and feet on our words.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9-10 ESV

So, what does it actually look like to not only say we believe in Jesus, but also to show it? Exhibiting evangelism looks sharing the Gospel with those around us. Not all Christians are called to go overseas as full-time missionaries, but we are all called to share the Good News with those around us. Here’s what the apostle Paul has to say about those who share salvation: 

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:15 ESV

Truly believing looks a lot like the early Christians in the book of James. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only: love our neighbors, show mercy, give shelter, food, and clothing to those in need. We need to control our words, not show favoritism, and cultivate peace. (James 2-3).

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:18 ESV

Sincere belief also looks a lot like the fruit of the Spirit. A dead tree does not produce fruit. Likewise, someone who has not received the new life as a result of salvation may try to sound like a Christian but will not have the heart of a believer. Our walk should match our talk. Do others see these character traits in our daily lives?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

Galatians 5:22–23

It’s not always as easy to walk the walk as it is to talk the talk, but Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit help us match our hearts with our mouths. (See John 14:15–17, 23–26.) What are you going to do TODAY to walk out your talk?

Additional Scriptures for Reflection:

• Romans 10 (context)
• Galatians 5:22-23
• Colossians 3:1-4
• James 2:14-24
• John 14

Questions for Reflection:

1. What happens when you say things you don’t mean?
2. With whom can you the Gospel this week?
3. How can you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit this week? Choose one to focus on.
4. How can you tangibly help someone in need this week?

**This article also appeared on the Beyond Sunday Blog in 2021.**