Matthew 23:1-5a “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show...”

Did you ever hear the saying when you were growing up “Do as I say but not as I do”? It doesn’t sit very well with people because it makes you appear as though there are different standards that apply to them from those that apply to you. Christians run into the same difficulty with non-believers. We sometimes hold forth the standard of God’s word, rightly telling them what it says we are to do. Unfortunately, Christians are oftentimes guilty of doing the same thing (and sometimes worse!) as those which we are often so quick to correct. Have you forgotten that when you first came to Christ it was almost impossible for you to live up to his standards? It is only by grace and the Holy Spirit at work in you that you began to overcome those things which held you captive for so long. People will never accept a standard from you for themselves unless they see you holding yourself to the same standard. Fairness is important to people, believer and non-believer alike. You must always remember nobody is above the law. We must be more than ‘speakers’ of the word…we must be, as James put it “doers of the word” as well.

Pray: “Father God, before I hold forth the truth of your word to someone, help me to first examine whether that truth is being practiced in my life. Help me to be like the Apostle Paul when he said that the others should follow his example. He didn’t say “do what I say” he said “do what I do.” Your children would be more effective…I would be more effective, if I modeled more and taught less. Let my actions and my life be the lesson. In Jesus name I humbly ask your guidance and help. To you be the glory, Father – Amen.