Practice What You Preach 言行一致
Dexu Xia
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
I started reading the Bible to my sons when my youngest, Xavier, entered kindergarten. I would look for teachable moments and share verses that would apply to our circumstances and encourage them to pray with me. Xavier memorized Scripture without even trying. If we were in a predicament in which we needed wisdom, he’d blurt out verses that shined a light on God’s truth.
One day, I got angry and spoke harshly within his earshot. My son hugged me and said, “Practice what you preach, Mama.”
Xavier’s gentle reminder echoes the wise counsel of James as he addressed Jewish believers in Jesus scattered in various countries (James 1:1). Highlighting the various ways sin can interfere with our witness for Christ, James encouraged them to “humbly accept the word planted in them” (v. 21). By hearing but not obeying Scripture, we’re like people who look in the mirror and forget what we look like (vv. 23–24). We can lose sight of the privilege we’ve been given as image-bearers made right with God through the blood of Christ.
Believers in Jesus are commanded to share the gospel. The Holy Spirit changes us while empowering us to become better representatives and therefore messengers of the good news. As our loving obedience helps us reflect the light of God’s truth and love wherever He sends us, we can point others to Jesus by practicing what we preach.
In what ways have you struggled to obey Scripture? In what ways has God transformed you?
Loving God, please make me more like You so I can use every opportunity You give me to share Your love with others.
只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。—雅各书1章22节
当最小的儿子维维上幼儿园的时候，我便开始读圣经给我两个孩子听。我会寻找机会进行教育，分享适用于我们情况的经文，并且鼓励他们与我一起祷告。维维常常不费吹灰之力就能够牢记经文。当我们陷入困境、急需智慧时，他会脱口说出一些绽放上帝真理亮光的经文。
有一天，我生气地说了一些苛刻的话。维维听见了就抱住我，对我说：“妈妈，妳要言行一致哦！”
维维的温柔提醒，呼应了雅各的睿智劝勉。那时雅各写信给散居各地的犹太信徒（雅各书1章1节），他强调罪能以各种方式阻碍我们为基督做见证，并鼓励信徒要“存温柔的心领受那所栽种的道”（21节）。我们若听道而不行道，就会像有些人对着镜子看自己，随即忘了自己的相貌（23-24节）。我们会忘了自己被赋予的殊荣，就是我们已藉着基督的宝血与上帝和好，当活出上帝的形象。
基督徒肩负着分享福音的使命。圣灵会改变我们，并赐给我们力量成为更好的代表，从而成为福音的使者。当我们因爱而顺服，就能反映出上帝的真理与爱的光辉，无论祂差我们去哪里，我们都可以借由实践自己所宣讲的圣经真理，让人认识耶稣。
你曾觉得在哪方面很难遵行圣经的教导？
上帝用什么方法改变了你？
慈爱的上帝，求祢让我能更像祢，
好叫我能善用祢赐给我的每个机会，与人分享祢的爱。