Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Matthew 7:24-29 (NRSVUE)

24 “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”

28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these words, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

When many of us were growing up, our grandparents or parents often told us that what we do will be remembered longer than what we say. People watch us for clues to who we are. Our children especially pay close attention to what we do. Actions do speak louder than words.

We confide in people that have shown us they are trustworthy. Integrity matters to us. We want to be around people who do exactly what they say. Solid relationships are built on trust.

Jesus requires that we act out our faith. What we do must match the faith that we profess. We have heard the truth of the word of God and we are required to act accordingly. To do so means that we are on a very firm foundation. We are the people who build houses on rock.

Those who know the right way but refuse to act on it have no firm footing. They are like the person who builds a house on sand. Their foundations are easily washed away.

We can look around at people whose foundations are floating away. They are following people whose words and actions are not aligned. If they looked closer they would see the underlying current that threatens them.

We cannot sit in our houses that are secure because the foundations are rock solid and look away from those that are slipping away. We must continue to pray for revelation for a change. Our actions should show the way back to God through Christ Jesus. The words we speak must match the actions we take.