Sometimes Use Words

I once heard a saying, and I wish I could cite the person, from whom I heard it, for credit, , but I do not remember who said it. I just know that it touched my heart and stuck with me. The saying goes: “You should tell everyone that you meet about Jesus, and sometimes you should use words.”

I think this is such a profound thought for every Christian. It reminds us to take the time to self-reflect on how we live our daily lives. Are we telling people what Jesus means to us, without using words? It has been said that “words are cheap” and “actions reveal who we really are.” These statements are true. We can say that we love Jesus and follow him, but do our lives demonstrate that? Does our private life, the life that is out of the site of all others, including our spouse and others that live in our household, those who are closest to us, demonstrate that we love Jesus? Words can deceive others, whether purposeful or without malice in indent, but actions show what is in our heart. The way we live, speak, and behave in public and in private reveals what is truly in our heart. “¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” Matthew 15:18.

So, how do we tell others about Jesus without using words? Are we living in a way that produces the fruit of the spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23? If we are truly living in a way that demonstrates to those around us true love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then we are telling about Jesus with using words. When we are the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are less fortunate or have special needs, then we are telling about Jesus without using words. When people see that you are different from the rest of the world and that you love others as you love your self and most of all, that you love Jesus with all your heart, soul, and mind, they will see Jesus in you, without you having to say a word. It is our responsibility to live lives that reflect the grace, love, and mercy that Jesus shows us every day. It is also our responsibility to extend that grace, love, and mercy to everyone around us.

Words are cheap because they are easy to say. You do not have to have any real conviction to say that you love Jesus. People can say anything that sound goods and give the impression of godliness. Actions and lifestyles are much more difficult to fake. In a world full of sinfulness, temptation, and every kind to un-godliness, having a close, personal relationship with Jesus is the only way for a Christian to be separate from the world and to truly live a life that would tell others about Him without using words. We must have a relationship with Him that we work on every day through prayer, repentance, and self-control. Just like any worldly relationship, it takes work on our part to remain close to Jesus. When we do, He draws closer to us and helps us, not only tell others about Him without using words, He also gives us the wisdom, discernment, courage, and ability to use words to tell others about Him. While our non-verbal lifestyles and actions let other see Jesus through us, it our responsibility, as Christians, to then use our words to plant the seeds of salvation in the hearts of those people around us. Through our lives and our words, we are able to share the good news of Jesus to the world around us.