2/9/2025
James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Over the last year and a half, we have talked about many qualities and ideals, sacred virtues that we can hold dear. As human beings, we continue to talk about love, compassion, forgiveness, justice, and faith. We sing about them, we pray about them, but the question I pose to you today is this: Are we truly walking the talk?
That is a phrase we often use to describe someone who does not just say things but lives them out. As followers of Christ, it is more than just a catchy phrase — it is the very essence of our calling. We are called to do more than just speak the word of God, of Christ, of truth, of love; we are called to live it.
It’s easy to speak eloquently about kindness, but how do we treat the cashier who rings us up a little too slowly? It is simple to discuss the importance of justice, but do we stand up for the marginalized, the voiceless, the oppressed? We all readily agree on the power of forgiveness, but do we hold onto grudges, nursing our resentments, refusing to let go of past hurts?
We live in a world saturated with words. We are bombarded with messages from every direction. But the question remains: Are we doing what Christ commands and has exampled for us? Words without action are empty vessels. They are hollow echoes that fade into the valleys of everyday life. James 2:14 pulls no punches: “What good is it, dear ones, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” Faith, words, intentions without action, are dead, unfulfilled promises.
Jesus himself did not just talk about love; he lived it. He did not just preach about compassion; he showed it. He healed the sick, he comforted the afflicted, he ate with the outcasts, he forgave those who wronged him. His words were powerful, yes, but it was his actions that truly transformed lives.
We recall the story of Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus was traveling through Samaria, a region where Jews and Samaritans, who had a long history of animosity, generally avoided each other. He stopped at a well to rest, and a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus, despite the social norms and the historical tension between their people, began a conversation.
This encounter demonstrated that the love Jesus felt transcended social and cultural barriers. The historical and social divisions between Jews and Samaritans did not prevent him from showing love and kindness to this woman. He did not judge her based upon her background or past. Rather, Jesus showed that every child of God regardless of their social status, gender, or background deserved love, and was worthy of kindness and respect.
The parables of Jesus challenge us. They force us to look beyond our words and examine our actions. In the story of the Good Samaritan, are we like the priest and the Levite? Both men of religious standing, saw the injured man by the side of the road. They knew the right thing to do, they understood the law of loving one's neighbor. They likely even talked about the importance of helping those in need. But they failed to act. Or are we like the Good Samaritan, willing to get our hands dirty, to step outside our comfort zones, to truly live out the values we profess?
Walking the talk is not always easy. It is doing what is right. It requires courage. It requires humility. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable, honest, and admit our shortcomings. It means putting our own needs aside and focusing on the needs of others. It means standing up for what is right, even when it is unpopular.
Walking the talk is aligning our actions with our words and beliefs. Therapists call it congruence. When our words and actions are congruent, people see us as more trustworthy and credible. It builds greater self-esteem and self-respect within us. We feel better about ourselves and build stronger bonds in our relationships.
Walking the talk means living with integrity; being the same person on the outside as we are on the inside. Our thoughts, words, actions, and lives are in balance. When we walk the talk, our lives become a witness to others of God’s love and power. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
When our actions and our words are congruent, we become living testimonies of God’s grace. People notice. They may not say anything, but they are thinking, “Why is this person different? How do they have peace amid chaos?” They answer is the source of that peace—Jesus Christ. Our witness is not just in what we say, but in what we do. In fact, it is the only witness that matters. Walking the talk means our lives become a testimony of the transformative power of God’s love.
Sometimes it is difficult to walk the talk. There are cognitive dissonances that can prevent us from walking the talk clearly. Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort we feel when holding conflicting beliefs, ideas, or values. For instance, we claim to value honesty and integrity. Then we tell a "white lie" to avoid an uncomfortable situation. We feel guilty or ashamed because we recognize that our actions do not align with our values. As a result, we might try to minimize the impact of our lie and try to convince ourselves it was harmless or blame the situation or someone else for forcing us into the situation.
Another impediment to doing what we know we should do is that we are not fully aware of our own values or the impact of our actions. If we do not know what we believe, this can make it difficult to consistently align our behavior with our beliefs.
The key to walking the talk is found in 1 John 2:6 – “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” Another translation: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” To walk the talk is to embody the love of Christ, the humility, and compassion of Christ in our interactions with others.
We must also regularly examine our hearts, motives, and aspirations. What do we believe, and do our lives reflect those beliefs? This self-reflection helps us identify incongruencies, areas where our actions may not align with our professed beliefs. By being aware, we can make necessary changes, like making others our priority. In Philippians 2:3, Paul encourages us to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” This Christ-like attitude shifts our focus from self-interest to the needs and well-being of those around us. Without self-reflection, we cannot get there.
Micah 6:8 beautifully summarizes what is required of us: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse encapsulates the essence of walking the talk: justice, mercy, and humility. These are not just abstract concepts; they are calls to action.
As we close today, it is my prayer that we live a life that reflects the truth we speak. Let us be people who not only talk about love, but who live it out in every area of our lives. I pray that we let our actions be a testimony of the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ.
Know that others are watching us. We may not want it, but it is true, because God is using us. They are not just listening to what we say — they are watching how we live. So, let us walk the talk and build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ, that we might stand firm, no matter what storms we encounter.
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