Action follows belief. People’s actions are evidence of what they believe. If you are wondering what you believe, take a look at the actions you are taking on a regular basis. Let’s take today. What are you doing today? What does that say about what you believe?
Let me give you an example. A person who needs a job is looking through the job sites on the World Wide Web. What does this person believe? On first appearance, it seems this person believes he will find a suitable job by the actions he is taking. But appearances are not everything.
As he goes through the listings, he is qualifying what he sees. “I can’t do that…”, “That looks like too much work…”; I could never do that, I don’t have the skills…” As we consider his words, we see there is possibly an issue here. Is this person confident he will actually get a job or is he just playing around with the idea? From what he said, we can make several observations. He might have a lack of belief in himself (“I can’t do that…” , “I could never do that…”). On the other hand he might have a bad work ethic, “That looks like too much work.” But we can’t know for sure because we don’t know that person’s heart. The person could just be being honest with himself, knowing his own limitations.
Personal judgments and observations aside, if that person actually takes action and submits job applications and follows through with interviews, presenting himself in his best light, then his actions prove what he really believes: He can get a job, he just has to find it. However if he doesn’t apply for a job, or does so haphazardly and blows the interview, then his actions prove something else.
Actions trump superficial thoughts. Actions reveal what you really believe. This is the point of a parable our Lord taught a couple thousand years ago. Let’s see what Jesus has to say about this.
A Biblical Example of How Action Follows Belief
Matthew 21:28-32
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’
And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went.
The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
The person who said he wouldn’t but then felt remorse and changed his mind and acted was the one who did his father’s will. Though his attitude and perhaps his work ethic needed some adjustments, his actions proved what he really believed, which was that he wanted to do the will of his father.
The person who said he would do it had deeper issues. He didn’t keep his word. People who don’t keep their word cannot be trusted. It takes a complete character change to overcome that sin.
What Are You Believing Today?
Sometimes we fool ourselves. We say we believe something but then our actions totally contradict what we say we believe. I can say I trust God and that God is my sufficiency, but if then go and steal, beg and borrow, then what do I really believe? I think it’s obvious that my actions in that example are not matching up to what I say I believe.
So I have a simple question for you: With what you are doing today, what do your actions say about what you believe at this moment in time? Do a checkup from the neck up and see if what you are doing matches what you think you believe. If not, make some adjustments and get your actions lined up with your true beliefs and, as long as what you believe is God-centered, what how God blesses you abundantly.
Actions speak louder than words. Remember that and have a great day glorifying God and our Lord Jesus Christ!