Walk The Talk

We Talk the Talk, but do We Walk the Walk?

St. Matthew 15: 7 & 8

Purpose: To instruct the listener that Christian Discipleship is more than saying “I am a Christian”.

Introduction: Many of us think that if we accept Jesus and say we are Christians, that is all there is to it. But along with saying it, we must show and live it.

I. What is meant by walking the walk?

A. Ric Flair’s definition

B. Definition for Walk

II. How not to walk

A. In darkness

B. In craftiness

C. In sin

III. How to walk

A. Steps are ordered

B. In the light

C. In truth

Conclusion: If we are going to continue to call ourselves followers of Christ and give an accurate example of what this life should be like, we must Walk the Walk that we continue to Talk about. Our life could be the only representation of Christ some people see.

Many of us think that if we accept Jesus and say we are Christians, that is all there is to it. But along with saying it, we must show and live it. To often we as Believers tend to become lax in the way that we do things. We feel that saying a thing is just as good as actually doing it; we take a "that will do attitude". I come to tell you this morning, that nothing could be further from the truth. Saying that we are followers of Christ and not actually showing it is not being a true follower. In order to be a true follower, we must not only talk the talk, but we must also walk the walk.

This morning we will discuss three main points after which I will take my seat. First we will discuss what is meant by walking the walk, after which we will describe a few ways not to walk and we will conclude with ways to walk. Now just what do I mean when I say talk the talk, and walk the walk? Let me use this example to show you what I mean. Those of us who watch wrestling can identify with a well known wrestler by the name of Ric Flair. His favorite line to use when being challenged by or challenging another wrestler is; "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"

What he is saying to his opponent is they could talk like a wrestler, they could dress like a wrestler, they could look like a wrestler, and they could even act like a wrestler. But when it came time to "PUT UP OR SHUT UP," he wanted to know if they could actually walk the way they talk. Just to get a clearer understanding, let’s take a look at the definition for the word walk. The word walk appears 212 times in the bible. With this many occurrences, we must believe that it is an important word in our relationship with God. Webster’s New Ideal Dictionary gives us several definitions for walk, but the definition we are most concerned with is walk used as a noun.

As a noun we see walk meaning; a manner of living; conduct; behavior. So what Mr. Flair is saying to his opponents is can you live the way you talk. Can you back up what you say by what you do? As Christian believers we too have to "PUT UP OR SHUT UP!" We always TALK the TALK of a Christian, but do we always WALK the WALK. Do we LET OUR ACTIONS BACK UP OUR WORDS! We tell people how "WE LOVE THE LORD," but do we keep his commandments? Jesus says in John 14:5; "If you love me keep my commandments.

We tell others how "GOD WILL MAKE A WAY," but do we stop the worrying? Jesus says in Matthew 6:31 & 32, to take no thought saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. We always quote Philippians 4:13, but when asked to lead a song or say a prayer we quickly say I can’t sing or I’m afraid to stand in front of everybody.

We are not walking the way we are talking. We talk about forgiveness yet we continue to hold on to that 20 year old grudge.

We are not walking the way we are talking. We tell others not to covet, yet we want everything everyone else has. We are not walking the way we are talking. We say Jesus told us to love one another, but instead we love only selected few. My brothers and my sisters, surely we are not walking the way we are talking!! ! Now just thinking about what has been said; I am sure you will agree with me that there are two ways to go about doing things, that there are two ways to walk; the WRONG WAY and GOD’S WAY! In order for us to know how to walk we must first know how not to walk.