Liba Hopeson
BTC, Pfutsero
During my Pre-university days, we had a dynamic and outstanding English lecturer. He was a man of action. He looked sober, but not too austere to associate and talk with him. Indeed if we were intimate with him, he was more like a friend to us. He doesn’t need to blow his own trumpet and tell us that he reads a lot. The rich knowledge that he imparts to us in an interesting and enriching way speaks volumes that he was not a slave of lethargy. So, we respected him, though, whether or not he earned our respect, was for him to infer. I remember how students move consciously and get ready for class when he was coming on the way. When he was taking class, if not permitted, students hardly talk. It was neither because he used to scold us harshly nor because he bore the look of cruel man, but we just respected him because he was good. He maintained his life in such a way that, students were not bold enough to misbehave or do mischievous things in front of him. His life was the core message and teaching.
Yes, ‘life speaks’. In my college, in two special occasions for two consecutive years, we had the same theme, “Life is a Witness”. Truly, our life is the main witness for God. It is a general acceptance that our sermon is effective if we preach what we practice. One day, I talked to a man over phone and requested him to pray for me for my sermon. He was happy and gave me some piece of advice, wherein, ‘preach what you have or practice’ was one. Indeed, it was a useful and practical advice; hence I took it to heart. Whenever I get an opportunity to preach and prepare my sermon, I engage my mind in thinking and questioning, do I practice these things? It is indeed more comfortable to preach what we practice. Of course, I don’t mean that I have spoken only what I do or practice. But, undeniably, preaching what we do and practice brings better results. So, those who live out and show in actions are trusted more by people. When they preach or teach, their words inspire and penetrate the hearts of the listeners. However, it doesn’t mean that, sermons preached by those who live good life are all effective. Some may live a Godly life, but they may not preach well. I don’t need to go into detail explanation here. We all know it. But our life is part of the sermon. To preach a good sermon, we must live a good life and posses good moral characters. Apostle Paul writes – I discipline my body, lest I become disqualified. Disciplining one’s life is a part of preparing sermon or message. The common phrase, ‘the message is/was effective as he/she practices in life’, is a clear indication that life speaks a lot. Our mode of proclamation may be little intense, but if we do or practice in our life, the listeners can accept and grasp it. However, sanctimonious persuasion(s) may not be effective, and hence we have to avoid it. But, for a sermon to have authority, inspiration and conviction, living a good life is imperative. We often hear from different people that we should preach what we practice, and indeed it is irrefutable. Life is the chief message; it is a part of the content of the sermon. By preaching what we practice, we get better response from the listeners. So, we should learn to preach what we practice.
In fact, there are many preachers in the world. It is easy for a preacher to speak and tell others to do something, but to live out or put it into practice in one’s life is difficult. I am sure, you have heard preachers preaching boldly, encouraging the congregation with beautiful words, instructing them to do or follow certain things, though they don’t practice at all. What happens when a preacher preaches boldly about the things which he/she never does or practices? The first thing is – perhaps little amusing – the listeners feel shy. If the congregational members or the listeners know very well that the preacher is preaching courageously on what he/she doesn’t practice at all, the listeners may not actually stop the preacher, but they will take a deep breath and say to themselves, ‘ash, this is not his/her cup of tea’. The words the preacher uses may be beautiful and attractive, but it will not have good impact. He may have an impeccable rhetorical skill(s) and speak eloquently, but his words will be like smoke gone to the air. And if one is too bold and speaks very strongly, there is danger that, his own words will haunt him and afflict him in the future. So, undeniably, preaching what we don’t practice at all is less effective. A very tedious sermon might be better, if the preacher lives a good life. If we preach what we never practice, the listeners cannot digest it. They will say, he does the same thing, she does the same thing – we cannot accept it. Undeniably, a sermon preached just in mouth without practice is not effective. Despite of the fact that one has to preach what one practices, obviously, everyone cannot do it. Yes, there are many preachers in this world. Some may preach everyday according to the demand of their profession. For them, they may not be able to preach sermons only what they practice. But, as they do not have other option, they have to preach though they don’t practice. But, there are many – some I have encountered – who decides to preach on the area they are weak or on what they do not practice. Their idea is, after preaching or teaching others, they refrain or control from doing it. They learn because they preach and tell others to do. So, they opine, it’s a great gain. I am sure; you have heard preachers, after sharing the topic, confess that, it was chosen because he/she is weak in it. To put it more lucidly, a preacher would say, ‘I chose this topic because I find myself weak in this area’. Interestingly, many would say, friends, don’t be like me – I am very lazy, don’t be like me – I hardly read the Bible, but try to read Bible everyday – I pray very less, but pray earnestly – I never fast, but do fast, it’s good – it goes on and on. What is the outcome then? What is the response of the congregation? I think it’s not very good and positive. I never do something, but I want others to do it? I cannot do or follow this, so you do it! We tell others to do or follow because we fail! Do I speak because I am also deciding to start doing it, or do I speak because I know that I really cannot do it, so I want others to do it because I am fully convinced that it’s good? Despite of the realization that it is good, if I do not decide to put it into practice, is it sill appropriate to push others to do? Can it bring good effects? It is doubtful. So, many a times, preaching what we never practice evokes negative response. It is not very effective. In fact many choose to preach what they do not practice so that it will be a lesson for them. As many believe, it corrects and controls one’s life. Since I have preached, I cannot do this or do that anymore attitude is alive. If I do this, people will remember and criticize me! So, it’s a means of correction for the preacher itself. But how far is it effective? For some, life can be changed through it (sermon), but for many, it’s not. We know old habits die hard. After preaching, we may be able to practice for some days, or weeks, or months, but we go on again with the same old habit(s). It’s very hard to quit what we have practiced for long. Changing an old habit takes time. We have one erroneous concept. That is, after coming to Christ, we become a new creation; the old things have passed away, so we are totally changed. Yes, the Bible says so. However, it doesn’t mean that everything, including our habits, is changed totally. Changing life takes time. Remember, even Paul wrestled and struggled with his sinful habits after coming to the Lord! How can we relinquish something suddenly which we have practiced for long? Do you think the writer doubts on the power of God or Holy Spirit? No, it’s a fact. It’s a long process. Therefore, although we want to speak so much, if we do not practice, we better not speak intensely. Why? Why should one doubt oneself? Do we better speak boldly without any doubt so that we can practice and change? Of course if we practice in our life, without hesitation or fear, we should speak confidently. However, it is better to be moderate if we do not practice in our lives. For we do not preach only to ourselves, we preach to others. So we should not be too bold enough and speak forcefully if we do not do or practice. I too have experienced at times. It doesn’t last very long. It is a clear indication that we are imperfect beings, though God is perfect. The old unwanted habits or weaknesses visit us time to time. It denotes our weaknesses and limitations. Therefore, the idea of preaching what one does not practice in order to teach oneself may have some good effects, but in the long run, it is often very precarious and not very healthy.
We’ll continue to preach. We’ll continue to hear sermons or messages. Are you interested in preaching what you practice to impact others or are you more interested in preaching what you don’t practice so that it will be a source of lessons and driving force for your life? The choice is ours. But we should be wise enough in delivering the message to know that the listeners do not get hurt or embarrass and also know that we do not injure ourselves after preaching. Is it better for a heavy smoker to tell a boy, ‘do not smoke’, or is it more appropriate to let a person who does not smoke tell him? And, is it better for you to speak out strongly even what you don’t do and change your life, or is it better to speak softly according to your life and have no impact on the listeners? Do you want to preach more on what you practice, or do you want to preach on what you don’t practice? Preach what we know or preach what people need? Preach what we know, or preach what we do? Do and tell or tell and do? Now, please answer yourself!
