They go around lecturing others on what the Word says they should do, but never do it themselves.
I'm convinced that if believers would practice what they preach, their lives would produce more manifestations of God's goodness and bring more people into His kingdom.
There's nothing worse than someone who preaches to others what they don't live themselves. Their heads are overblown with the knowledge of the Word, but their spirits are wasting away because they've not been doers of the Word they know (James 1:22).
They tell others how they should walk in love if they want to be "as blessed as they are." In actuality, they are as mean as a snake and totally broke. This kind of hypocritical lifestyle is a bad witness to those who are contemplating giving their lives to Christ.
It gives credit to the old "Christians talk the talk, but don't walk the walk" excuse that has kept millions hell-bound and in darkness for thousands of years.
There must be more than mental assent where the Word is concerned. Romans 10:8-10 describes how the Word must be in your heart and in your mouth if it is to produce fruit in your life, while John 8:31-32 says it's only the Word that you live that brings freedom.
Not Fooling Anyone
No one, including God, is fooled by your proselytizing when it's not reflected in your everyday life. God looks at the heart of a man, not His Words: "These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it..." (Isa. 29:13 MSG).
He can tell the difference between the believer who has the Word in his heart and the believer who is just running off at the mouth to make himself look spiritual.
The latter individual has deceived himself with his religious quoting of the Word (James 1:22). He may think that he has all the answers and expects to receive the promises of God; however, his heart grows sick as his desires go unfulfilled (Prov. 13:12) and his life remains average.
He has defeated himself through his external knowledge of the Word, because he didn't allow it to renew his mind and change his behavior.
The key to obtaining the promises and character of God is to become a doer of the Word. Only a doer, or one who practically applies the Word that he knows to his life, will be blessed, or empowered to prosper, in his endeavors.
Blessings come through a life of obedience to God's Word, which goes beyond merely talking about it.
Begin to take your own advice and do the Word you know. Then you will begin to see the manifestation of God's promises of healing, protection, wealth, wisdom, safety and deliverance and develop in godly character.
When others see you walking in love and living in God's goodness, they will be drawn to your light and will begin to ask you, "What must I do to be saved?" As others come to Christ, you'll be a living testimony of someone who practices what he preaches.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.