How many times have you had someone to say to you…”you need to practice what you preach” or you have said that to someone else?  At least for me, I have had to remind myself along with a couple of other people on several occasions.

Now let’s look at the word hypocrite as it relates to “practice what you preach”.  A hypocrite as defined in Webster’s dictionary is a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs.  In the Bible, Jesus denounces the scribes and the Pharisees for behaving in this manner of hypocrisy in Matthew 23:3, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” Now, I am sure that we all know someone who is like that, or we may have found ourselves sometimes behaving in such a manner.

As followers of Christ, we should always practice what we preach or at least behave in a manner that is consistent with or reflective of God’s Word.  Reason being is that it shows the integrity of our faith and it provides a reflection of the light of Christ in our lives.  According to Matthew 5:14, it states…”Ye are the light of the world…” and in Matthew 5:16…”Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.   We should always want people to be attracted to the light of Christ that is within us by the way we live and the words that we speak and share.

In addition, as followers of Christ, we are always being carefully watched by the non-believers and the unsaved. The Word and the scriptures that we share with others should also be reflective in our lifestyle and everyday living.  We should be the same when we are at work, home, school and believe it or not, when we are on social media sites.   We must be different from the world so that it will be encouraging for the unsaved and unbelievers to want to get to know and love the Christ that we know and love.

Here are three ways on how to practice what you preach:

1. Watch the words or comments that you say or speak.  Are your responses any different from those who do not know Christ?
2. Your reactions should be Christ-like in every circumstance and situation
3.  Our lifestyle should be the same in public and out of the public’s eye

If we are not practicing what we preach, how can we expect to be effective in sharing God’s Word with others?  It is hard to persuade the unsaved and the non-believers the need for salvation, if they see the hypocrisy in us as believers.

Now ask yourself this question…”Are you practicing what you preach?”

Sharing God’s Word in Love,

Tamela

It is very important that we spend quality alone time with God.  It is during these times that we are able to hear from God and have a personal conversation with Him.  I have found that many people have an exact science down when it comes to spending time alone with God.  They pray at the same time, same location, with correct posture, and with a certain Bible during this special time with God.  Now please, don’t get me wrong, that is all good if it works for them, but you can rest assure that God doesn’t want to burden you with a certain set of rules about spending quality alone time with Him…He just wants to spend time with you.

Here are four things that I have found that can help you to spend quality quiet time with God:

1.  Quiet your mind.

The first thing you should do is clear your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to clear and cleanse your mind from all things happening in your life.  Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare a quiet atmosphere so that you can be prepared to hear and talk with God

2.  Focus your mind on God.

I can always tell when God is wanting to spend some alone time with me.  He gives me a song in my heart that I find myself singing or humming all day.  This is my special way of worshipping Him and to get my mind focused on Him before I go into my quiet time with Him.  Ask The Holy Spirit to help you get your mind focused on God.

3.  Pray what’s on your mind.

Talk to God as if you were having a regular conversation with anyone else.  Pray about the things that concerns you or whatever that is on your heart.  Philippians 4:6 says, “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests by made known to God”.

4.  Renew your mind.

It is important that we renew our minds everyday and especially after we have been in our quiet time alone with God.   Romans 12:2 says, “and do not be conformed to this world, but the renewing of our minds, so that we can prove what the good and acceptable, perfect will of God”.  When we are in our quiet time with God, He is giving us direction, guidance, correction, and wisdom.  That is why we should always renew our minds everyday, so that we can apply what God has spoken or revealed to us in our quiet prayer time with Him.

Now, I would be remised if I did not say to not follow these things to the exact “t”…just use them as a guideline.  I am sure with time, you and God will have developed your own special way of spending time with each other.

If you have a special way of getting ready to spend quality quiet time with God and would not mind sharing, then please leave your comment here or post it on my Facebook at…Face To Face TV3.

Thanks for stopping by and please go with Christ today!

In God’s Love,

Tamela