Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love . . .”
The Bible tells us to be speaking the truth in love. But I was thinking that we don’t always speak with our mouths. And it also has been said that actions speak louder than words. Jesus wasn’t constantly speaking with His mouth. His silence is even recorded in a few places (Matt. 27.12; Mark 15.5 for instance). Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that the Bible calls Jesus, “the Word of God”. Jesus gave witness to the truth by His actions. And that is what we Christians are supposed to do as well.
I John 3:18 says, “ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
My Dad once taught on John 16:25. Before Jesus went to the cross, he told his disciples that He was getting ready to show the Father plainly. Jesus said, “ [I]f I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12.32). What Jesus did on the cross, showed His Father plainly. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Titus 2:10 reads, “[T]hat they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
Sometimes people say that they love you without ever speaking. And sometimes what they do is more clear than words. James says our “conversation” consists of works too.
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13).
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:37-40
Sometimes just showing up unprompted with a cup of coffee or donuts says more than words could. If you asked me how I know my parents love me, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t a particular time that they spoke those exact words to me. I think of how they took care of me all my life, and I saw so many times how they put me before their own selves.
Now Proverbs 6:13 reads, “ He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;”.
This verse says that a man can speak with his feet. What does where our feet go say to the world? How much a person is worth to someone can be seen by where they are going. How often are our feet in the house of God?
What our fingers do, or what we are busy with teaches a lot too.
Do our actions show that our life is but a vapour that appears for only a little time (James 4.13-15)?
Do our actions show that the dead aren’t going to rise either to everlasting life, or everlasting destruction (Acts 24.15; John 3.16; II Thess. 1.8-9)?
Do our actions show to the world that it is appointed to man once to die, and after this the judgment (Heb. 9.27)?
Do our actions show that we serve a holy God? Psalm 29:2 reads, “ Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Do our actions show to our brethren that every one of us will give account of himself and his labours to God (II Cor. 5.9-10).
Also the Bible says that if our words say one thing and our actions say another it can be a dangerous thing. Proverbs 11:9 says, “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: . .” If our words say one thing, and our actions say another, it can be a dangerous thing. Ecclesiastes also 9:18 says, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.”
The Scripture says that the hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor. Destroy is strong word. It seems as though we could possibly send someone to Hell by hypocrisy.
Romans 2:22-24 says, ”Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
Sometimes silence is a witness too.
Jesus’ silence had a great impact on Pilate. In John 19:9-11 we read, “And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above . . .”
God who knows all things, knows when we should speak, and when we should be silent. And He knows what will be the most effective witness.
When the Lord wouldn’t speak to Saul, it certainly spoke volumes to their relationship (I Sam. 28.6). It spoke volumes on whether or not the Lord approved of his actions.
Jesus’ silence spoke of how Pilate wasn’t the ultimate authority.
Peter needed to be silent. In Luke 9:35 we read “And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”
Sometimes being silent is the best witness. It shows how great a God we serve!
“ . . . Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day . . . .The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14
If God tells you to be silent in a circumstance, you can be sure that that is the best witness. Being silent doesn’t’ mean that you aren’t being a witness. And speaking isn’t the only avenue where you tell others about Jesus.
I Peter 2:12 says,“ Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
I Peter 3:1 also tells about winning souls through the way you act. “[I]f any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;”
God bless!
When Ravens Cry 