Christian Walk Versus Talk

Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? James 4:14 NLT

Today's Devotional Scriptures: James 4:14

In his letter, James refers to the church as adulterers because we profess love for God at the same time we show love for worldliness. We can be friendly without allowing our friends to decide our values and behaviors. It is important that we walk our Christian talk before them, making it clear that our ultimate love and loyalty belongs to God.

James mentions some un-Christlike behaviors which make our Christianity questionable. Think seriously while you read them.

• Discrimination: paying special attention to some people, while ignoring others (2:3,4);
• Hypocrisy: preaching our faith in God's providence, while refusing to share with those in need (2:14-17);
• Fights: engaging in quarrels motivated by selfishness, instead of promoting God's agenda (4:1);
• Compromise: professing full time Christianity, but taking time out for a little worldly pleasure (4:4);
• Criticisms: criticizing and judging fellow sinners, usurping a right that belongs to God (4:11,12);
• Arrogance: managing our business as if we have total control, without any consultation with God (4:13-16).
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Do we find ourselves rationalizing any of these behaviors? Or are we willing to admit that we've been misrepresenting God? None of our hypocrisy takes Him by surprise, and He is willing to forgive us; but He wants to do more than forgive. He wants to put His Spirit within us, to guide us into walking our talk. James outlines the process.

• "So humble yourselves before God." Confess, repent and admit that we need His grace to enable our loyalty to Him.
• "Resist the devil." Stand our ground against the temptations to be selfish, prejudiced, hypocritical, quarrelsome and all other un-Christlike behaviors.
• Be intentional about maintaining our connection with God and watch the devil retreat as we draw closer to God (4:7.8).
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Our attitudes, actions, even our friendship and media choices will demonstrate our Christianity when we completely surrender our lives to Christ. Even without preaching, our walk will talk.