Practice What You Preach- Matthew 23

Take time to read this chapter in the book of Matthew.  This chapter is very much for those in the church, especially those who like to be in authority.

Jesus was talking about the teachers of the law and Pharisees when He said this: "...they do not practice what they preach.  They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

Practice what you preach.  If you prescribe a lifestyle, you'd better be willing to live it.

I'm a huge dc Talk fan.  In dc Talk's monster album "Jesus Freak" there is the following quote: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is people who profess Jesus with their lips and deny Him by their lifestyle."  I believe this to be true.

However, do not use this to require perfection from your leaders in the Church.  Rather, use this verse to require progress from your leaders in the Church.  Meaning, don't expect them to be perfect today before teaching you, but expect them to be more perfect today than yesterday.

Jesus continues in this passage with more warnings for teachers.  Like, "... you hypocrites!  You shut the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces.  You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."

Or, "You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisees!  First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."\

Or, "You snakes!  You brood of vipers!  How will you escape being condemned  to hell?"

Practice what you preach, because Jesus obviously finds this of utmost importance.  Live what you say you live today.