There is an old cliché, “talk is cheap.” We, the people, especially Christians, need to stop pretending and show genuine love by listening and sharing.
“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 Jn. 3:11). Being honest and truthful unlocks love within us and reveals our relationship with the Lord, who is the way to the truth and eternal life.
"Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God" (1 Jn. 3:19). Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, showed that they did not belong to the truth. Even though they presented themselves as confident, they lied to the Holy Spirit. Never forget that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent; consequently, their selfish actions were exposed.
In a world that promotes selfishness and individualism, we must follow the way and the truth, or our finish will be like Ananias and Sapphira.
Obedience to the truth purifies our souls and generates love from a pure heart.
If you are caught up in evil, now is the time to stop imitating people who draw near to God with their lips only. Do not deceive yourself, God knows your heart and sees your actions.
Love should be without dissimulation, deceit and hypocrisy. Strive to stand before the Lord with a clear conscience. Let our words and actions agree by acknowledging and confessing our sins.
If we do that, we show trust in God’s Word, which says He is faithful to forgive our sins.
"Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything" (1 Jn. 3:20). Sometimes our conscience forces us to do right, like the people in the crowd who were ready to stone a woman accused of adultery.
The scribes and the Pharisees brought the woman to Jesus, aiming to set a trap. However, instead of falling into their trap, Jesus wisely placed the judgment in their hands, saying thus: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (Jn. 8:7, KJB).
Being convinced by the words of Jesus and their conscience, they dropped the stones.
Words govern actions; if we speak hatred, malice, and prejudice, it will show up in our actions.
However, our conscience will challenge the heart when we live by a moral code guided by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Yes, God knows our hearts, but we do not always know our hearts.
Sometimes our feelings deceive us as a means to conceal our motives and shortcomings. It is in these times of confusion that the devil seizes the opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy.
To avoid confusion, follow the Lord’s way and truth; His knowledge and wisdom are greater than human feelings. The Lord searches our hearts and is aware of all our ways.
May our actions agree with our words.
Minister Nettie Pennington is Associate Minister of Springfield Missionary Baptist Church. She is a faithful contributor to your Tate Record church page.
