Do What I Say, Not What I Do?

 

I find the statement, “Do what I say, not what I do.” harmful.  Others are watching us.  And God sees our minds and hearts.  Others follow our example.  They might learn to be deceitful.  That title statement is contradictory to the Word of God.

Over the recent holiday, while the adults were busy, I watched a young boy lead around a small group of boys a little younger than he.  Of course, they all wanted to have fun.  But he seemed to be demonstrating how to push the limits of what their parents wanted.  The younger boys looked up to the older for example.  He was bigger than they were.  They wanted to be included.  Poor younger boys.  They were being taught, and accepting, evil compromise.  They were following right along with the older boy.

And even adults are looking for bad examples by Christians to justify their rebellion.  A coworker, trying to negate my testimony and example, spoke of Christians speeding on their way to church.  And the Christian leaders who fall into sin are often highlighted.  So, when we adults say one thing, but do another, aren’t we just like that older boy who was misleading others by example?  That’s sending mixed signals.  That seems to me like actually teaching deceit.  That seems to me like teaching that a little cheating away from what’s right is O.K., especially if done behind people’s backs.  Can you see it?  What does the Word of God say about this?

 

Let me start with myself, how I should handle the Word of God for your sake:  

¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. ² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

 

How are my actions to be an example to you?  The Apostle Paul, under inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, gives the example I am to follow:

¹ Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
² Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2

¹⁷ Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. Philippians 3:17-19

⁴ We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, ⁵ and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. ⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, ⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, ⁹ not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. ¹³ But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right. ¹⁴ If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

 

Jesus not only led through what He said, but also by example:

¹² So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:12-17

⁴ One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. ⁵ But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: ⁶ he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked. 1 John 2:4-6

¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ²⁰ For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. ²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, ²² who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:19-22

 

So, let’s resolve to make our example match our words, and our words follow Christ. May God Bless You!