They Will Know By My Lifestyle….or Will They?

We often hear the phrase, “They’ll know I’m a Christian by my lifestyle.” But will they? If you walked through life with your lips duck-taped, would anyone truly know you were different—set apart—just by watching you?

The truth is, it’s not just how we live. It’s also what we say. Our lifestyle may reflect our beliefs, but it’s our words that reveal the why behind them. Many well-meaning parents have tried to “live it” before their children without ever teaching, correcting, or speaking truth. And too often, those children stray—not because the example was bad, but because it was silent.

It takes more than a lifestyle. It takes words. It takes knowledge of God’s truth. It takes instruction, reasoning, and drawing lines in the sand. It takes explaining why we don’t do certain things—not just avoiding them.

Tell a child “we don’t do that” without giving them the truth behind it, and they’ll likely run toward the very thing you told them to avoid. Why? Because you haven’t given them a reason. They’ll think you’re just old-fashioned, out of touch, or afraid. But kids crave answers. They want someone to stop them from self-destruction. And they won’t be saved by example alone.

They’re asking hard questions:

Why can’t I like the same sex?
Why shouldn’t I get a tattoo?
Why can’t we live together?
Why aren’t all religions the same?
Why can’t I watch porn?
Does your lifestyle alone answer these questions? Does it explain the why behind your choices? Or have we used “living it” as an excuse to avoid confrontation?

Paul confronted Peter. Jesus confronted the Pharisees. He didn’t just live it—He spoke it. He taught it.

So take the duck tape off your mouth. Speak truth in love, and be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within you.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” — 1 Peter 3:15, KJV

Blessings

No Comments


Recent

Archive

 2025

Categories

Tags

no tags