They Watch Our Walk Before They Listen To Our Talk

Our family and friends watch our walk before they listen to our talk. The best witness combines good behavior with appropriate words, reflecting the difference Christ makes in our lives. We must never lose our focus in God. When our focus is lost, our walk means nothing. We are no longer being a witness.

What if everyone waited to see what effect religion had on us before we decided to accept it? How many people would accept religion based on them observing the difference it has made in our lives?
Apostle Paul said people are watching our every move to see what kind of difference our faith makes in our lives. People who are not believers are living all around us.

I Peter 2:12
Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observed, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Gentiles here refers to those who are not believers in Christ, not to those who are not Jews.
They speak against you as evildoers: Folks, despite our good works, those who are unbelievers will slander us.

They observe: The Greek word for observe used in this verse (1Pet 2:12) and in verse 1 Pet. 3:2) implies a conscious, ongoing examination of our actions as believers.

The Day of Visitation: Probably refers to the final day of judgment when all people, believers and unbelievers alike will fall on their knees and acknowledge who Jesus Christ is, as well as what He has done through His people.

Apostle Paul also instructed us on how we can introduce Jesus to a hostile world, “eager to do good.”

I Peter 3:13
and who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

We must live obediently in Christ, to have a good conscience, and to be prepared to explain to others why we have hope.

I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

WHAT DO THEY WATCH?
1. They watch to see if our behavior matches our belief.
2. They watch to see if our walk matches our talk.
3. They watch to see if our character matches our confession.
4. They watch to see if what we claim to believe on Sunday, is put into practice on Monday.
5. In a word, they watch to see if “you and I” have “Integrity.”

THE HALLMARK OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS INTEGRITY.
The meaning of Integrity is a high standard of living based in a personal code of morality that doesn’t succumb to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority. As King Solomon writes:

Proverbs 10:9
He who walks with integrity, walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

Many proverbs contrast two paths of life. Walks with Integrity means conforming to God’s law as a course of life. Choosing crooked paths is willfully to disdain the guidance God so graciously provided.

Whatever our situation, let’s shine for Jesus where we are. May our walk match our talk and let them listen.

The more we live like Jesus, the more others will be drawn to Him.