Opinion: Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word assessment in this way: “the evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.” Today we assess in so many areas of our lives.

We assess our car’s performance with an email that sends us all the diagnostics while we used the car. The doctor assesses how our medication is working with blood tests. The coach assesses the games with tapes made during the competition. The teacher assesses the students after a concept or lesson is taught. The overriding question is: “How are we doing?”

What about self-assessment according to what the Bible says? With the Bible, we can identify personal areas that need to be changed. The Bible gives some clear instructions for personal Christian growth. Some Christians “talk the talk” of a believer, but it is another thing to “walk the walk.”

Hebrews 13:15-16 reads: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.” The writer contends that doing these things pleases God.

The first is “the sacrifice of praise or the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Our words are very important. It gives a double message when people claim to know God, profess to live a godly life and then their talk is filthy, critical, condescending or vile. James verified this: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be.” (James 3:10)

When my sister Susie and I were teenage drivers, we had an experience we still remember. One day, we hit another car on its right rear side while we were turning into the intersection . Damage to the other car was minimal, and but we were horrified.

The driver of the other car was absolutely furious! He opened his car door, jumped out and walked over to us hurling stinging profanity and appalling insults. He was livid, and his voice was loud and vehement. Not only did it scare us, it embarrassed us because of the names that he was calling us.

In his anger, he never looked at us ... until he got up close to our car. Then we recognized him and he recognized us! He had attended our church and claimed to be a “Bible scholar.” He characterized himself as a Biblical counselor!

When he saw us, his tone changed drastically, because we were the preacher’s daughters. He had really let us have it, calling us cheap and dirty names and taking God’s name in vain as well. It just didn’t add up — Biblical scholar extreme curser.

The second area deals with “doing good.” James wrote: “Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17) Doing good when we know in our heart that we ought to do the right thing is paramount for the Christian. Being available to God and willing to meet the needs of others is what God asks of us. But are we too self-centered to really spiritually see those needs? Asses and see.

The third part that the writer mentions involves sharing with others. Amos the prophet warned the rich people against having plenty and even wasting some and not sharing it with the needy. Today thousands of people in society are suffering in many ways. At times we spend big money on the superfluous items. We must stop and think: Are we sharing according to the Biblical mandate?

If people would really put into practice the verse in Hebrews — to watch what we say, to do good, and to share — we could make a difference in all our encounters with our family, our friends, and strangers. We would not only “talk the talk” but “walk the walk.”

Judy Brandon writes about faith for the Clovis News Journal. Contact her at:

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