If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark…you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
Romans 2:19-21 NIV
Permit me to take the front line while we reflect on this passage. Permit me to direct this question to myself, even as I see the Lord being so intentional and particularly interested in my life. Thus, He is calling out to me: “you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself”?
I cannot but cry to God to continually make His grace abound for me so that I can always fully live up to His expectation in everything, and to have my whole body under control, so that I won’t be disqualified after I have preached to others. This is my genuine heart cry. Am I imparting wisdom to others but neglecting to apply it myself?
Can you please join me in this moment of reflection, am I really being the salt and the light God is calling me to be to the people? Teaching others not to steal, do I not steal? As I teach others to abstain from sexual immorality, do I not fall into the same? Yes, I teach others to say no to idolatry, am I not guilty of the same? Am I being a hypocrite? Can I really say, like Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”?
You who are calling others to be the light, are you living as the light yourself? Would people really say you are living as the salt and shining the light indeed? As you reflect on this, your heart cry should be, ‘Lord, help me to live what I teach’. We must examine whether our lives align with the message we proclaim.
People who think they are wise when they are not are worse than fools
Proverbs 26:12 ERV
Pretending to be wise while lacking wisdom is worse than foolishness. Let us strive to be authentic ambassadors of Christ. Let us walk in His truth and integrity, both in our words and our actions.
