Behavior Does Matter

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Your behavior does matter. A person who behaves right has a better chance of influencing others for right much more than the person whose behavior is inconsistent. Likewise, the behavior of a church does matter to the ability of that church reaching the lost and its community.

Paul said the Word of God was written so thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God. The church’s behavior depends on the believer behaving right because the church is made up of believers. If the believers in that church do not behave right, that church will not behave right. Not only does the believer’s behavior affect the church, but it also affects the truth. For the sake of truth and the church influencing the lost for Christ, every believer ought to behave like Christ. Let me share five behaviors that are critical to behaving right.

First, the believer ought to behave right consistently. The believer should not live a two-faced life, but their life should be consistent in public and at home. How you act in church ought to be how you act at home. You have a better chance of influencing people for right if you are real. People can often spot a fake, and the two-faced life leaks out and hurts the cause of Christ.

Second, the believer ought to behave right compassionately. The Scriptures teach that making a difference in lives and society will only be done through compassion. You cannot have compassion for people if you are not serving among them. Getting among people to reach them for Christ will change your behavior. Compassion for the lost is a result of being among the multitudes, and it affects your love for people when you are consistently trying to reach the lost. The believer ought to have compassionate behavior toward the lost, which will result in trying to reach the lost and restore the fallen.

Third, the believer ought to behave right faithfully. Being faithful is a choice. You are faithful to something. You are either faithful to unfaithfulness, or you are being faithful to Christ. I would rather choose to be faithful to Christ. You cannot make a difference in lives when you are hit-and-miss in your Christian walk. Faithfulness to truth and service is critical to being influential in your service to Christ.

Fourth, the believer ought to behave right passionately. There is something contagious about being passionate. Everyone is passionate about what they love, which means you will be passionate about serving the Lord if you love serving Him. Your love leaks out through your passion; show me what you are passionate about and I will show you what you love. Get your heart into serving the Lord, and being passionate will be easy.

Fifth, the believer ought to behave right powerfully. Your behavior needs to be influenced by the Holy Spirit’s power. The other four behaviors will fail if you don't live in the power of the Holy Spirit. My friend, yield to the Holy Spirit, and let Him empower you as you serve the Lord. Nothing will influence others as much as a believer who has God’s power on their lives. If every believer and church is empowered by the Holy Spirit, their behavior will be right towards God.