Do your words align with your actions?

Do as I say, not as I do. How many of you know this phrase? If you are like me, you heard it often from the adults in your life, and I have to admit that I have uttered it all too often in my adulthood as well. This sounds like wisdom.  Isn’t that why we say it to our children?  

However, if we think about the situations in which this phrase is used, we see that it is not wisdom, but instead a way of rationalizing whatever we are doing that we know we shouldn’t do!  

The book of James tells us this, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)   James explains that true wisdom will be given by God when we approach Him with spiritual integrity.   This means that we have to ask as God gives, with a single-minded and honest intention.  God acts as He speaks.  His actions always carry out His perfect promises.

When we act with spiritual integrity, aligning our actions with our words, then we are laying the proper foundation as we approach God with our requests.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that God is like a vending machine, dispensing good things to all who do good.  Rather, we can’t expect God to honor our requests if our actions and our words aren’t honoring to Him.  

Today, let’s begin to create the ground work for receiving God’s wisdom by monitoring our words and actions. As a parent, I don’t reward my children when their behavior is dishonoring to me.  Why should I expect anything less from God?