PRaP 10-24-2005

"Do You Practice What You Preach?"

I am an observer of people. I watch many leaders and pastors. I listen to
what they say and I pray about it. Then the Lord reveals to me their
truth. Just like Jesus says in Matthew 23:1-12

1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the
law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do
everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not
practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's
shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move
them.


    5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their
phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the
place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them
'Rabbi.'


    8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master
and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for
you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called
'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest among you
will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


Do you practice what you preach? Do you tell your children one thing and
then do the opposite. Well I have. I have to catch myself and correct it.
My sons look up to me and if I say one thing and then do the opposite it
affects them. Lord I repent of these sins. I ask You to correct and guide
me so that I will not be like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.
In Jesus name Amen. Do you practice what you preach? Those of you who are
in leadership roles of any kind need to be held accountable for their
actions. Bring it to their attention that they are not practicing what
they preach. Cut off those long tassels and take away the seats of honor
and remember that you are a human just like everyone else. Places of honor
are reserved for the servants servant. Think about it.


PRaP Matthew 23