People prefer to see my example more than my sermon
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
Matthew 23:3 (NKJV)
Jesus was very clear in warning about the danger of spiritual inconsistency. The scribes and Pharisees knew Scripture and taught it with authority, but they did not live it. This reminds us that the people who observe us most—our family, our children, those who walk with us—do not primarily learn from what we say, but from what we consistently do.
- Example carries more weight than words
We can give plenty of advice and preach great truths, but if our lives do not support what we say, the message loses credibility. Example validates or invalidates the sermon. - Faith is transmitted through visible actions
When a father prays, children learn that prayer is important. When parents serve in church, children understand that serving God is a normal part of Christian life. What is modeled is learned faster than what is only commanded. - Inconsistency produces confusion
Saying one thing and living another generates distrust. Forbidding behaviors that one practices weakens moral and spiritual authority. Consistency is essential to influence in a healthy way.
- The home is the first pulpit
Before preaching to the world, we preach every day at home. The family does not need more speeches; it needs to see Christ reflected in daily attitudes, decisions, and reactions. - Example opens the heart; the sermon only the ear
Those closest to us do not want to hear another message; they want to see a transformed life. A character like Jesus impacts more than a thousand well-spoken words.
God did not call us to be perfect, but to be authentic. Living what we believe is one of the most powerful ways to disciple. When example and message walk together, faith becomes credible and contagious.
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
Matthew 23:3 (NKJV)
Think About It:
- Does my family see in me the same message they hear from my lips?
- In what area do I need to better align my behavior with my faith?
- What concrete action can I model today to reflect Jesus in my home?