Word or actions?

[nobspeople]

It's said 'actions speaks louder than words'. Is that true?
So often, we see christians complaining, protesting, telling others what's right and what's not (even though many times they can't come to a consensus on those items internally themselves, but...). Not so often do we see quiet christians going about their convictions, doing what they believe is right, leading by examples.

Is this because it's more 'fun' to see hypocrites getting caught in their own sins and misgivings - sins and misgivings they've told others to avoid because they are wrong?
Or is it because it's easier to sit in the comfy chair of their warm (or cool) home and tell others what to do or not do (who doesn't like to take it easy sometimes?)?
Or is it all skewed against these poor, belittled christians and we only see the 'bad' and not the good?

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?
Why?
Which do you prefer in your chosen lifestyle agenda?

[JehovahsWitness]

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?

I believe Jesus said "by their fruits you shall know them" meaning it is what people do that is more important than what they claim. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses we are taught that faith without works is dead, so what we believe should be manifest by the kind of people are and how we treat others.



JW

[Diagoras]

Not so often do we see quiet christians going about their convictions, doing what they believe is right, leading by examples.

Just an observation:

To an extent, you've answered yourself there. It's precisely those quiet people (Christian, Sikh, atheist, et al) who do go about doing good works without the desire to make their efforts known. And if you don't see them, you might naturally (and mistakenly) believe that they are fewer in number than they are in reality.

Or is it all skewed against these poor, belittled christians and we only see the 'bad' and not the good?

To a certain extent, I'd agree with this. An abusive priest is going to make for a sensational headline; the faithful parishioner who distributes to the needy - not so much. As a society, we're somewhat primed to focus more on the threat to an otherwise cohesive group.

[Miles]

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?

I believe Jesus said "by their fruits you shall know them" meaning it is what people do that is more important than what they claim. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses we are taught that faith without works is dead, so what we believe should be manifest by the kind of people are and how we treat others.

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

"A teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; it suggests that we are able to distinguish between false and genuine prophets by the things they do and say. In the same passage, Jesus calls false prophets wolves in sheep's clothing."
source


"The saying, “You will know them by their fruits,” is found twice in Matt 7:15-20, at the start of the paragraph in v 16 and again at the end in v 20. Verse 15 and the first part of v 16 reads, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”
source


"This warning is paralleled in Luke 6:44 and appears again at Matthew 12:33, a similar fruit metaphor also appears in Matthew 3. In those other places the verse is an attack on the Pharisees, but here it targets false Christian prophets.'
source


"The context and point of Matthew 7:13-23 is similar. Christ summarizes the “fruit” coming from the lips of the unsaved false prophets"
source

.

[JehovahsWitness]

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

I can't see why the principle should be thus limited. While the specific verse is speaking about false prophets, his conclusion certainly widens out the principle to all of his disciples.

The principle which can be boiled down to "actions speak loader than words" is one that can cerainly be applied to anyone wishing to please God (see James 2:17). Verses 21 and 24 of chapter 7 say, "Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will....“Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock"

Biblically, speaking /claiming but not proving true to ones word is cannot only be the concern of those that claim to be Prophets.

[Miles]

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

I can't see why the principle should be thus limited.

Neither do I. Not that my opinion should count, but according to others (see my list) it is so limited.

While the specific verse is speaking about false prophets, his conclusion certainly widens out the principle to all of his disciples.

If they were also prophets, then yes.

Biblically, speaking /claiming but not proving true to ones word is cannot only be the concern of those that claim to be Prophets.

And maybe it isn't, but according to others the verse in question speaks only of prophets.


.

[JehovahsWitness]

While the specific verse is speaking about false prophets, [Jesus] conclusion certainly widens out the principle to all of his disciples.

If they were also prophets, then yes.

Can you support your statement with scripture (NOTE below)

[nobspeople]

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?

I believe Jesus said "by their fruits you shall know them" meaning it is what people do that is more important than what they claim. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses we are taught that faith without works is dead, so what we believe should be manifest by the kind of people are and how we treat others.

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

"A teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; it suggests that we are able to distinguish between false and genuine prophets by the things they do and say. In the same passage, Jesus calls false prophets wolves in sheep's clothing."
source


"The saying, “You will know them by their fruits,” is found twice in Matt 7:15-20, at the start of the paragraph in v 16 and again at the end in v 20. Verse 15 and the first part of v 16 reads, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”
source


"This warning is paralleled in Luke 6:44 and appears again at Matthew 12:33, a similar fruit metaphor also appears in Matthew 3. In those other places the verse is an attack on the Pharisees, but here it targets false Christian prophets.'
source


"The context and point of Matthew 7:13-23 is similar. Christ summarizes the “fruit” coming from the lips of the unsaved false prophets"
source

.

HEY! Who you callin' 'simple'?!?!?

[Miles]

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?

I believe Jesus said "by their fruits you shall know them" meaning it is what people do that is more important than what they claim. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses we are taught that faith without works is dead, so what we believe should be manifest by the kind of people are and how we treat others.

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

"A teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; it suggests that we are able to distinguish between false and genuine prophets by the things they do and say. In the same passage, Jesus calls false prophets wolves in sheep's clothing."
source


"The saying, “You will know them by their fruits,” is found twice in Matt 7:15-20, at the start of the paragraph in v 16 and again at the end in v 20. Verse 15 and the first part of v 16 reads, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”
source


"This warning is paralleled in Luke 6:44 and appears again at Matthew 12:33, a similar fruit metaphor also appears in Matthew 3. In those other places the verse is an attack on the Pharisees, but here it targets false Christian prophets.'
source


"The context and point of Matthew 7:13-23 is similar. Christ summarizes the “fruit” coming from the lips of the unsaved false prophets"
source

.

HEY! Who you callin' 'simple'?!?!?

Err, sorry about that. Slip of the pen. That should have read:

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, me, or the milkman.

[nobspeople]

For discussion:
What nets more change: words of deeds?

I believe Jesus said "by their fruits you shall know them" meaning it is what people do that is more important than what they claim. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses we are taught that faith without works is dead, so what we believe should be manifest by the kind of people are and how we treat others.

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, nobspeople, or the milkman.

"A teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; it suggests that we are able to distinguish between false and genuine prophets by the things they do and say. In the same passage, Jesus calls false prophets wolves in sheep's clothing."
source


"The saying, “You will know them by their fruits,” is found twice in Matt 7:15-20, at the start of the paragraph in v 16 and again at the end in v 20. Verse 15 and the first part of v 16 reads, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”
source


"This warning is paralleled in Luke 6:44 and appears again at Matthew 12:33, a similar fruit metaphor also appears in Matthew 3. In those other places the verse is an attack on the Pharisees, but here it targets false Christian prophets.'
source


"The context and point of Matthew 7:13-23 is similar. Christ summarizes the “fruit” coming from the lips of the unsaved false prophets"
source

.

HEY! Who you callin' 'simple'?!?!?

Err, sorry about that. Slip of the pen. That should have read:

Whereas others believe the verse specifically targets prophets, not simple people like you, me, or the milkman.

I figured - just bustin' your chops a little