Talk and Walk; Are They One?
" ... they said to him (Jehu), 'ls all well? Why did this fellow come to you?' And he said to them, 'You know the fellow and his talk'" (II Kgs. 9: 11 ).
Read: II Kings 9:1-11; Gen. 19:14; Prov. 14:23; Prov. 18:16; Eccles. 5:3, 10:12-13; Tit. 1:10.
What Is God Saying?
Elisha sent a young prophet to search out Jehu and anoint him king. Ahab and Jezebel were rejected for their crimes but their base activity continued even as an animal, wounded and dying, will continue to have spasmodic jerks. It was God's will that Jehu be anointed king and commissioned to bring down the house of Ahab. The young prophet made his way to Jehu, accomplished his mission and took his leave suddenly. When the guards inquired as to why "the mad fellow" came to Jehu in the first place, Jehu made up an excuse which is our Key Verse today, "You know the fellow and his talk." It was like saying. "You can't believe anything he says. He has a reputation for being crazy." That was easy for the guards to believe for prophets were known for their ecstatic and uncontrolled behavior. In this instance, Jehu tries to throw them off by the remark. They didn't accept his evasiveness and pressed him for the truth. When they learned he was truly king, they chose to follow him, their new king. Jehu did put an end to the house of Ahab, but his reign eventually collapsed in shame as he fell back into the shameful idolatries of past years.
How Does This Apply To Us?
The point of this Key Verse is to make use of the phrase, "You know the fellow and his talk." It is not intended to be an uncomplimentary reference to the courageous prophet commissioned by Ehsha to carry out God's will. It simply underscores the fact that we are known as much (and more) by the life we lead than by the words we say. Remember how Lot's sons-in-law would not believe Lot's warning because he seemed to be Jesting (Gen 19:14)? His actions and his words were not one. We need to be sure that our walk makes it easy for others to believe our words. A man and his message must be one or there will be those who honestly think we are only jesting when we are trying to be earnest. Our talk and our walk must be one, lest there be those who say of us, "You know the fellow and his talk." In prayer, in the silent words we hear and speak in the Father's presence, let there be the perfect mingling of what we are and what we say. Belonging to Christ, there's no other way to pray. There's no other way to live.
Pray With Me
Lord, I heed the warning of this verse-a man and his message cannot be separated. The message a person brings is believed or doubted according to his life. A fool brings falsehoods. A wise man brings truth. Let me be careful in my walk that others may find it easy to believe my words. Let the words of my lips and the deeds of my life flow together as two streams whose mingling is never noticed. Let my life give foundation to my message. Let my reputation support my conversation. What comes from my mouth and what shows in my life ... let them be one.
The weakness of mcons1stency sometimes brands me as a fool. Nevertheless, in Your patient love, see me for what I may become. Bnng me through all the d1sciplmes and pains of spiritual growth to a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. May He be the shining goal of my life His words and His works are always one. His message and His life were always consistent. Stir my slumbering conscience. May I not be obhv10us to what others must be quick to detect-"The man and the message are one." When others say, "You know the man and his talk," may I have the joy of knowing that they say it with honor to God and not with scorn. May my life be such that, when others say, "You know the man and his talk," they shall be strengthened in faith and not in doubt.
Let this become a reality, Lord, for the glory of Your name. Let it become a reality for the peace of my own heart. Let it become a reality for the sake of all who are trying to find the Master through the integrity of His disciples.
In the name of Him whose words and works were always one. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
We want to pray for consistency in life and prayer. We will say what we mean. We will mean what we say. Let it be said of us, they have talked with God and from their life of prayer there is coming a life of love and service, a life dedicated to beauty and truth, a life devoted to the service of Christ, a life where God is real, a life that is real for God. 11 Talking to God and walking before men should be one piece of cloth.
