What is your body saying to others? Are you representing the title for which you hold? Are you speaking about following Christ and your body is saying something different? Is your attendance to church the only difference between you and someone who professes to believe in something/someone other than Jesus?
Our bodies should be in accordance with the things in which we say. Of course, this is not always easy. It is not easy to follow Christ 24/7, when our bodies crave things that are not in-line with God’s will. How do we function in a world that suggests we be free? Free to live and love romantically anyone/anything we choose. Free to speak, mind you, vulgar things and to behave and dress however you please.
Our bodies need to be trained to match the words for which we speak. Our bodies need to be disciplined under purposeful attention. Paul, beat his body into subjection, that while he preached to others he himself would not be cast away. Paul understood his own desire for selfishness and to be exalted above the words of the Lord.
So how do we attempt to make the change in our lives that is lasting? We examine ourselves in the Lord. We measure ourselves against the wisdom found in scripture and see how much or little we are actually living out what it says.
What is our conduct in front of the children or co-worker? Do you curse? When the scripture declares that our words should be peaceable, full of love and edify. Are you preparing to sleep with a woman that is not your wife? When the Bible declares that thoughts of a woman that is not your wife is already committing adultery. Are you racist? Can a black man marry your white daughter if he is full of the Holy Ghost? When the Bible records that God is not a respecter of men.
Many of the above things can be adjusted when the believer positions himself into the love and meditation of God’s word. There is a miraculous power that overtakes the believer who is living holy and he/she finds himself surrounded by the response to love his/her neighbor as himself.
This post has been updated with the additional information below, let me know if you find it helpful.
rogertharpe.wordpress.com 
Yes Roger: a good reminder to check ourselves regularly.
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Great post, I look forward to reading more!
This is very true and very challenging, thank you for sharing Roger.
Woo, I love this, and you are correct, sometimes we talk the talk, but do we really walk the walk? You know, there are times when some of us claim we love God, when we’re in Holy assembly, but when we’re back to the secular world, we hide Him, we need to have bold spirits and claim Jesus as our Personal Savior and love God with an open heart.
I absolutely love this and I love seeing that God’s army is standing STRONG, regardless of all the crazies in our world and I am more than proud to say I’m a soldier. Love your post, thank you
I dig what you’re sharing here, Roger!
I do have a post in the works, though, that will be talking about how we as members of a spiritual community can find a balance between permissiveness/moral relativity and a judgmental culture that we can often cultivate. It seems very often that the one or the other “pole” of these behaviors, and not a balanced and just assessment of our diversity of expression, appearance, etc., can lead us to alienate members of our family who are just different…not to mention those who are struggling in a more and more corrupted society.
Thanks for bringing this to mind!!!
Sounds like a difficult nearing on impossible task. I often hear the word balance and get nervous. Usually, the balance is more like, become like the world and try not to get noticed for your difference. Jesus was/is the epitome of love and they crucified him. Would like to see where you go with this. I do agree having been to several types of churches and denominations, that a lack of genuine love is missing thus defaulting in becoming judgmental.
…still working on it, although “Community and Trust” and “Family-Ship” both get that party started in a way…
Yes! Thank you for this exhortation!
May we keep our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith Jesus Christ Who IS the Word of God!
May we be genuine disciples that discipline ourselves and put aside “all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:21-25
Great word! You just reminded me of how to be and remain blessed!
🙂 great post.
I think it’s important to not get bogged down with body language do’s and dont’s and just be yourself, all while examining your life in accordance with Scripture. God’s grace is sufficient for us. Great article! Good read! 🙂