Empty Words
She sits in the front row near a posse of other girls who chat about homework and boys before the bell rings. Once class begins, she regularly makes comments during class like “I would never cheat.” Or when one of her friends is disrespectful, she throws out, “Be respectful of the teacher.” She’s says it when she’s sure the teacher is listening. It’s the worst kind of kissing up to a teacher I’ve ever seen because goodie-two-shoes comments don’t change who a person really is. She can say all she want-it doesn’t undo the fact that she cheated on her last test in class.
It’s like the kids who all went to a purity conference a few years ago. They were excited to be a part of something so big and they all signed a covenant…only to break it within the next 3 months in a public and embarrassing situation. Words mean nothing unless followed by actions.
“I’m sorry” delivered through clenched teeth or even a bevy of tears means nothing unless things actually change. My daughter keeps saying she’s sorry that she didn’t get her chores done, and I believe her, but if she still isn’t getting her chores done, the problem hasn’t been fixed. Words can be pretty meaningless at times.
Even the person at work who says, “I’ll get that done,” but forgets to do it as soon as the meeting is over is guilty of meaningless words. I’m guilty of this too-many words that mean very little. We complain about the promises of advertisers or politicians that are just full of air, but we are equally guilty.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17) We can talk the Christian talk, go to church on Sunday and even more, but if our lives are not changed by Christ, it’s all just empty words.
We show what we believe by our lives. Faith is proved true by actions and words come to life when we live them.
I’m making a covenant with my mouth. No more saying anything unless I commit to follow through with action. No more talking at Bible study about the Bible without letting the Spirit of God change my behavior
THAT DAY, that moment, that week. No more talking about what I ought to be doing.
I don’t want to be a person who throws around words that are meaningless. I want my words to be filled with life and truth. So, I’m asking God to fill my words with more of Him.
Heather
I love your blog, empty words are so easy to just rattle off without even thinking. I have been so guilty of this very thing. I want to think before i speak and be sure that God knows that the words I speak are the words from my heart, not just off the top of my head. i want the “words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be pleasing to in Him.” Blessings Gloria
Wonderful post.
I love your thoughts, Heather!! ! Thank you for the reminder!
This is so true. Thanks for the reminder
“We show what we believe by our lives. Faith is proved true by actions and words come to life when we live them.”
Thank you for sharing these powerful today.
Amen to that, Heather. Is is so true, sometimes we say things and we are not following through. I will only commit to things with my mouth when I know that I will follow through.