When you hear someone say they are not walking their talk, it simply means they are saying one thing but living another way. Their conduct and their conversations do not match. Paul, in Philippians 1:11, is finishing up this section of chapter one where he is telling them how he had been praying for them. He does this to encourage, strengthen, comfort, and allow them to know what he desires for them so they can also pray this same prayer for themselves. He wants to keep them focused on walking the walk for Christ. Paul had established the church at Philippi approximately 8 years prior to his imprisonment. It was his heartbeat to encourage them and help them to grow in their sanctification.
In verses 9 and 10, he is telling them about his prayer for them. His desire is for their love, knowledge, and discernment would grow. In verse 10, the word approve means to test something to see if it is real. He wanted them to seek excellence in their Christian walk. He wants them to live a life that is blameless. A life where no one can point to them and call them a hypocrite.
Philippians 1:9-10 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;”
In Philippians 1:11, he teaches them how to live a blameless life. He gives them the elements needed to walk as a Christian should, not just talk about their Christian walk. He tells them to be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which only come from their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The fruits of righteousness will be evidence of their faith in Christ. They will include honesty, kindness, goodness, meekness, charity, truth, and any other virtue that being right with God produces.
Honesty is to be free of deceit. You are straightforward in your responses to others and your conduct. You seek the truth in your life in all you do, and you desire to be honest with everyone. It is a virtuous attribute that demands you deal fairly with everyone. It goes hand in hand with truth. However, a person can be honest by not telling a lie, but if they are truthful, they will make known the whole truth about a matter. A person who is honest and truthful will not represent himself a certain way but inwardly know they are being hypocritical.
Kindness is the virtue that deals with how we treat others. We are not harsh or sarcastic. We think of how our words and actions will affect others. Kindness thinks about the possibility of hurting others, it thinks ahead before it speaks, not taking chances with others’ feelings.
Goodness in the original language, which is Greek, is “agathosune.” It means uprightness of heart and life. In other words, it is inward and exhibited outward. In the Bible, the word good means holy, pure, and righteous.
Meekness is the power to keep oneself under control. Thinking of others before they think of themselves. This person will be humble, not proud, and arrogant. It is a humility that recognizes if there is anything about us that is praiseworthy it is only by God’s grace. A meek person understands the sovereignty of God and embraces it.
Charity is another character trait of the person who walks as he talks. It is the actions that take place because of the love he has for others. Love is not love if it does not express itself in actions.
Philippians 1:11 “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
A person who walks the walk of being a Christian will do so to the honor and glory of God. He understands I Corinthians 10:31 when it says “all things” are to be done to the glory of God. Everything this person does is to seek to give the right opinion of Jesus Christ.
Now, for self-evaluation. What areas do you need to allow Christ to change in your life to allow your actions to match your talk? Do you say God is first in your life but fail to attend public worship for entertainment or functions that could be done at a different time? What about family gatherings, social functions at work, or athletics during church service times? If you miss church for these things, you are not putting God first, and those who are not saved or the weak Christians will notice. You are telling them serving Christ is a pick-and-choose religion. That is not what the Bible teaches, and your walk is not matching your talk. You are being hypocritical in your faith. Why not take a stand and let others know you can’t attend because that is your time to worship? This will show the importance of God in your life. I know there are all kinds of arguments that you may have to justify your actions, but someone who is following Christ will not make excuses. If you say you are a Christ-follower your actions will show Christ comes first. You will not walk the walk because you think you have to but because you want to.
I wonder how many will miss Heaven because they have followed a halfhearted Christian. I wonder how many will miss Heaven because they have deceived themselves into thinking they are ok when they are not. Be real, and make your walk match your talk!
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