The Tattler

“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.” (John Locke)

Remember the saying: “Actions speak louder than words?” As we’re well aware, that goes two ways. It can either be good or bad.

Well, we’ve been getting a fair helping of the latter for quite a while now. In the political arena, in the entertainment field, in education, in business, in sports, and in virtually every segment of society we’ve been experiencing an over-abundance of hypocrisy.

There’s a term that’s been coined called “woke”; and even that is hypocritical. Those who are promoting some of the perversions that are running rampant today may call themselves part of the “woke” generation; yet they’re nothing but “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). A number of years ago, it was called “politically correct”; but apparently that wasn’t inclusive enough. Unfortunately, this isn’t a case of the majority of them doing this inadvertently. Far too many of them know exactly what they’re doing; and they’re doing it just to appeal to whomever fits their agenda.

Jesus once told the people: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:2 and 3). Even though it sounded as if He was speaking about every single scribe and Pharisee, He really wasn’t. There were a number of them who believed in Him and ultimately became His disciples. But, because He looks at us as a body of people, then He speaks of us as one. That’s why, even though there were faithful Jews, the prophets spoke of the entire nation being corrupt and sinful.

So, now, here’s a question: How are we allowing others to interpret our actions? Are we walking in the Spirit or in the flesh? Do we act one way with certain people and another way with others; not out of concern for the different ones, but out of concern for how we’re perceived?

Paul wrote about confronting Peter on this very thing.

“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” (Galatians 2:11 to 13)

Peter was more concerned with his own reputation among the Jews than he was with associating with the Gentiles. This was after he had received the vision of the sheet being let down three times in Acts 10; and the Lord subsequently confirming that the Gentiles were included in His purposes. But his actions didn’t have an effect just on the Gentiles. It also drew away the other Jews and Barnabas.

We need to realize that every one of our actions have consequences, even if we don’t see them. That’s because, contrary to what most people think, including far too many believers, everything we do in the physical realm really DOES impact not only the physical realm, but the spiritual as well.

Now, it seems that a whole lot of people have adopted the attitude, and they’re vocal about it, of not caring what anybody thinks of them and what they do. But, according to God’s Word, we read:

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22)

That means that we as believers and followers of Jesus are commanded to live as His representatives; and that means that we have to be concerned with how we’re perceived by those around us. We don’t have an option. Well - actually, we do. But no matter what we choose, there are consequences.

There’s something, however, that we need to understand: Whatever is within us will come out, good or bad. There’s no way we can stop it. And whatever is within us is a result of what we’ve chosen to take in.

Consequently, we have a choice: Are we going to take in things that bring hope and life, or will we take in things that bring hopelessness and death? The reason lies in the fact that whatever we take in WILL come out, and others will be affected, either positively or negatively. God won’t violate the free will He gave us; and He’s given us His Spirit to help us to stand against the onslaught of the enemy and to overcome him. But, again, it’s our choice.

Choose wisely.