I once knew a guy who whenever speaking to someone always spoke about what he can do and where he’s been in life. If someone were to talk about football he would jump in the conversation with some fabricated story of how he was “the man” when he played in high school. Only to find out that he suited up only for a half season on the freshmen squad. He would then get around a group of musicians just to chime in on what famous celebrity he knew and how he’s had some obviously miniscule interaction with them. Only to find out that he’s been to a few concerts and waited out back for a celeb to leave just to get a hand shake. I’m sure all of you know someone like this. Some may even relate to this as a brief excerpt from their biography. Either way we’ve all been guilty of having over exaggerated lip service but our heart and actions don’t quite line up with what we’re saying. What happen to your word is bond? What happened to integrity? What happened to actions speaking louder than words?

Isaiah 29:13 talks about how one “draws near to me with their lips…but their heart is far from me.” It’s time for our hearts to truly reflect what our mouth declares. The key to salvation is clearly enumerated in Romans 10:9 “if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead then you shall be saved.”The vocalized activity for salvation is affirmed and grounded in the belief in ones heart. It is not enough for us to just speak empty words that we do not mean. This seemingly extreme scriptural example in relation to salvation is actually the basis for life and actions thereafter. Those who are believers start their new life WITH THAT CONFESSION. Therefore all the things we say and do are to be in direct response and line up with what our heart believes. If we spew forth lies and empty words is it safe to say that is what our heart is full of? Jesus declares in Matthew 6:21 “for where your treasures are, there your heart will be also.

What do you value? What do you hold as your treasure? Do you crave the approval of others, therefore competing with conversations like “Attention-Hungry Andy” I spoke of early? Don’t compromise who you are to fit in and disregard the ultimate truth that is within you; Jesus Christ. Competing with the conversation can sometimes make you lose to yourself. You don’t have to get every word in about everything you hear just to make more friends or maintain some fruitless, aimless reputation. Proverbs 18:24 says “He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction.” Life shows you that this verse could not be truer. People can be unintentionally unreliable, self-centered, and offensive. Be aware of who you open up to and call a friend. John 15 declares that Jesus is our friend. And there is no better friend than him. So be slow to speak and quick to hear. Learn from others; both mistakes and successes. It is okay to be confident about whom you are and the gifts you’ve been given but never to the level of pride or conceitedness. Just as 1 Peter 5:5 talks about: be humble! That will get you much further than empty words. If Christ is in you then there is no need to overcompensate with an over exaggerated YOU! Love yourself as God does and be humble and happy with who you are and what you have.

Stanley Johnson is singer/songwriter with a powerful message of hope and encouragement that pierces the hearts of believers and non-believers alike, Johnson's debut release, BEYOND ME includes a variety of soul soaking music with lyrically magnetic songs addresses a diversity of situations many face in this journey called "life." For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyJMusic