WALK THE TALK

Note:  The following post is a rewrite. I have been going through saved articles and posts as I work on a new proposal. I found this and thought how pertinent it is right now as we listen to all these promises from the political world. 

Walking for exercise and meditation seems to be for all ages, sizes, and nationalities. Magazine covers, book stores and videos are filled with stories of the rewards of a personal walking program.  Because I am a walker, I often reach for the magazine with “New Personal Walking Program” as its latest promise. Or the latest edition of Family Circle© that has emblazoned “WALK OFF MORE WEIGHT” in bright orange letters on the cover. Walking books are a part of my personal library, and every famous star seems to have an exercise or walking video available for $19.95. All are filled with good advice and excellent illustrations, but reading and watching give me little result.  I read them all (well not all, but probably too many).   Through experience I have discovered that reading the article or watching the video does very little except waste my time. I have “book learning” about walking, but if I don’t walk, my knowledge does me no good.  Talking the walk doesn’t make me a walker.

Isn’t it the same with those of us who call ourselves Christians?  Many today are naming the name of Christian, but reading the Book and watching the preacher don’t make us Christians any more than reading the article in the magazine and watching the video makes me a walker.  I tell people I walk, but if I wear out after walking a block, I surely haven’t done much more than read the instructions.  I can’t have been practicing too much.

 I claim the name of Christian, but ‘if I have not love, I am as a clanging cymbal” only good for noise”- (1Corinthians 13:1 NIV) I attend the services of the local congregation on Sunday, sing, pray, and greet my fellow Christians. But, if on Monday my tongue is cutting and cursing those same people, I am only reading the Scripture not practicing what I have read.  I have knowledge, but no action.  James says “To know to do good and not to do it is as sin.” (James 4:17 NIV)    

God’s Word tells us that even Satan know the Scripture.  Knowing and doing are different parts of the Christian walk.  Of course, we need to know God’s Word, but until we start walking it, His Word is useless.  As reading the books and magazines does nothing for my physical body, reading and studying do little for my spiritual well-being.  I must walk the walk.  I encourage you also to walk spiritually as well as physically.