“Don’t talk the talk if you don’t walk the walk.”
How many times have you heard that?
How many times do we all profess our love and concern for others…and then demonstrate it by acting just the opposite?
We’re all guilty, you know. We all know better, and we all eventually end up doing or saying something we instantly regret and then smacking our head in disbelief? How could we have done that?
Easy. We’re all human. We’re not perfect. But most of us try not to make those mistakes a second time.
The bigger problem comes when we repeat that same mistake over and over.
Or when we’re so oblivious, or arrogant, that we just don’t realize, or care, what we’re doing, or how we come across to others.
And yes, I’m about to step on some toes. My own as well as other people’s.
Our public figures are guilty of this, saying one thing, and many times denouncing or condemning others for doing something wrong, then being caught doing the same thing themselves. Or even worse, publicly making fun of other people in such a way as to not only be rude, but offensive and bullying. Then becoming upset if someone does the same to them.
And how many of us, especially our youth, see this happening and think it’s ok because of the stature of the persons doing it?
How you treat others is a true reflection of who you really are.
We all know people who make it a point to tell everyone they meet how they can’t stand people who gossip about others; they can’t stand people who have no empathy or patience for the misfortunes of others; or people who are constantly bragging about their own self-worth.
Then, before you know it, those same people are talking trash about someone you know, or making fun of someone else who has an obvious disability. Just a joke, they say.
But not to the people they’re making fun of.
How you treat others is a true reflection of who you really are.
And unfortunately, many times I see this happen from people who profess to be Christians; who say they love everyone, and treat everyone the same.
But they don’t. Just like almost everyone else.
They can quote scripture like you wouldn’t believe. They use it to talk to others and give advice. And sometimes if that advice isn’t followed, or if the person wants to question or debate what is said, they’re turned away, ignored, dismissed, by the very people who profess to love and care for everyone.
They can be quick to show themselves to the world as being totally in tune with God on an hourly basis, and take every opportunity to preach their faith to others, but privately scorn anyone who doesn’t agree with them, or those who don’t live their lives the way they think they should.
Until a family member or close friend does the same thing, and then it’s a different story. Or, they hide their own private lives and indiscretions, thinking no one will ever find out because of how good they show the world they are. And if someone calls them out on it, they always have a convenient excuse to explain their reasons.
Being a Christian doesn’t make you perfect, either, especially if you use your faith as a weapon against others.
How you treat others is a true reflection of who you really are.
I am not perfect. I have done many of these same things, and deeply regret them. I have no right to judge someone else’s motives or second guess where their hearts are coming from.
Just as others have no right to second guess mine.
I am a work in progress, and I am certainly trying to be the best person I can be; to
live my life in a way that is pleasing to God as well as my friends and family. And I know I don’t always succeed.
But I still try.
How I treat others is a true reflection of who I really am. And I don’t always like that reflection. But I’m working on it.
Are you who you profess to be in public, or are you someone else you really don’t want anyone else to see?
Only you can answer that question.
Does how you treat others reflect who you think you are?