There’s a famous quote that reads, “Preach Christ- use words when necessary.”
This quote often varies depending on the book you’re reading or the person saying it but any who quote it credit it to St. Francis of Assisi. Now, this is often debated due to the fact that there was no record of this quote before 1995 so many challenge its authenticity, but in the end, who said it doesn’t matter. What matters are what it’s saying.
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Let’s look at the actual words of this quote: “Preach Christ…”
To anyone claiming to live a Christian life and wanting to spread the Gospel to its full extent, this is an obvious one, right? I mean, you have to share the word somehow. It’s what we’re taught from the moment we’re sat in a pew or in a chair in a bible classroom. It’s not the first part of the quote that makes one notice it.
“…Use words when necessary.”
Words have become something that are incredibly encouraged in our society and rightfully so! Words carry a power with them that can hit people’s souls in an incredibly deep and emotional way. There’s a reason God gave us the power of language and the human ability to comprehend it. However, there becomes a time when words stop having power.
We’re at a time in our world where everyone is talking. Whether it’s social media posts or having deep discussions with strangers on the street, we’re talking. It’s great that we are. The exchanging of ideas keeps our world moving forward and helps us to adjust as people to whatever situation we have to face. But, words are sometimes not the right way to spread a message.
Sometimes they lose their power.
We were not created to be beings that simply speak. If that was the case, we would not have these awesome, capable bodies that can do incredible things.
These bodies were meant to work, so why is that so often we fail to work?!
Why do we hide behind the words we post on a computer screen and say that they are enough to communicate how we feel about a situation?
Words have power, they do. But actions… that’s how you spread Christ. The message of Christ always has been and always will be love. I can tell you that I love you all day long but if I don’t show you that before I ever say it, you’re never going to believe it.
We are Christ’s messengers and his love works the exact same way!
So as you sit there and share your countless posts on social media and have your deep discussions at work, remember that the actions that you are showing are so much more important than those words you speak! By all means, share your opinions and your message, but don’t judge the people who aren’t as open with their words. Maybe they’re just choosing to show love and Christ through purely their actions, and maybe you should follow their lead a bit...
