Do our examples really matter? Do our actions matter if, “our heart is in the right place?”
Growing up, I often heard adults say this person “Talks the talk but does not walk the walk.” My adolescent mind had trouble grasping what they meant, but the phrase stuck with me.
By the time I made it to high school I had understood the meaning of the phrase from personal experience. There were those who feigned friendship but talked trash about me behind my back. They said one thing and did another. They were, in a word, hypocrites.
These days, I seem to be surrounded by hypocritical leaders. They exist in every profession from politics to business, and sadly, even in the pulpit. They are hypocritical leaders who cannot be trusted because they say one thing and do another.
Their walk does not match their talk.
The Wrong Example
Jesus warned His followers against behaving hypocritically. He said they should not pray like the hypocritical religious leaders who made a big show of their prayers in public but behaved badly in private (Matthew 6:5).
Jesus called the people who made a big show of their fasting hypocrites because they just wanted others to see how righteous they were by fasting (Matthew 6:16).
Finally, Jesus said it was hypocritical to judge others while refusing to admit your failures (Matthew 7:3-5).
The point Jesus made with these examples is that we must not be hypocritical; our walk must match our talk. The world sees the example we set.
The Right Example
Writing to Timothy, his young protégé, Paul explained how a leader must establish himself by setting the right kind of example. Paul said that Timothy needed to set an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
Speech
Our speech reflects the condition of our heart. Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34b).
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said: “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
So, our speech reflects what is in our hearts. As Christians, our speech should be full of grace to build others up.
Life
The whole of our lives is an example to those around us. Jesus said believers should, “…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Everything we say and do is a testimony of our life in Christ and that testimony should be the kind that draws others to God rather than making them run away!
Love
Speaking to the disciples a few days before His crucifixion, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:34-35)
The love we show each other is a reflection of the love Jesus shows us. Showing love to one another is one more way our lives demonstrate our faith.
Faith
The word translated faith, really means “faithfulness” or “trustworthy.” Demonstrating our faithfulness also means we must be trustworthy. Paul said, “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 4:2b).
A faithful, trustworthy Christian is a witness of our faith in Christ “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Purity
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). The word translated purity means sexual purity, but also means purity of heart and action.
Sexual impurity is perhaps the most public failure and sadly, all too common among high-level executives, politicians, and pastors.
The Leader’s Example
Leaders, we are called to be a light that shines before others in such a way that it draws people to God.
We can only do that when our lives reflect what Paul referred to when instructing Timothy. We must set an example with our speech, and in every aspect of our lives including the way we love others, our faithfulness, and in our purity of heart and action.
We must walk the walk and talk the talk!
Anything less puts us in the camp of the hypocrites that Jesus so soundly rebuked.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you dealt with hypocritical leaders? What impact did they have on your organization?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of the people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Skills | Accountability
