Walk the Talk

Who needs integrity? We all do! Society trumpets the necessity of integrity for public figures such as politicians and CEOs, since people are reliant on them for their well-being or livelihood. But we’re not exempt. People are also relying on us to be the same person in public and in private.

Happily, God has designed it so that with the responsibility comes great reward.

Businessman and leadership expert Zig Ziglar wrote: “With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide.” Besides bringing us the kind of joy that only comes with peace of mind, being the same person at all times builds trust with others, creating space for our voice in their lives. That could be why, in Titus 2, Paul didn’t launch into theology after calling Pastor Titus to sound teaching; the wise mentor discussed character, naming some of the defining traits of godly men and women of various ages (v. 1-10).

I love that. Character communicates big-time, winning us an audience that we might never attract otherwise.

Until people see our words translating into our day-to-day lives, they won’t care what we teach. The real impact is in walking the walk.

Representing Christ at His best means revealing Him in our walk and our talk. The walk takes precedence, at least with those who don’t know Him. Jesus said, Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24, emphasis mine). In essence, friends, if we’re walkin’ it, we’re rockin’ it.

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. (Psalm 119:1-3 NLT)

God, bring together my walk and my talk into one beautiful whole, even as You continue to develop my character.

This is an excerpt from 100 Days of Joy and Strength by Candace Cameron Bure – a devotional book released by DaySpring publishing. Learn more about this book, or shop other books & devotionals from DaySpring.