We’ve all heard it time and time again: actions speak louder than words.

Anyone can string some words together to craft a meaningful sentiment. But what matters most at the end of the day is whether or not our words prove true through our actions – is there proof in the pudding? Or was it all just well-intentioned smoke?

Years ago, I heard a catchy evangelical phrase that has stuck with me ever since: “preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” Your entire life – every single second of it – is an opportunity to preach the gospel “at all times.” Yes, the words we use to share the truth of Jesus are of the utmost importance; people need to HEAR about the love, grace, and salvation that He lavishes on us through His sacrifice on the cross. But they also need to SEE it. 

One of the most effective tools we have in our tool belt as “fishers of men” is living a life that constantly puts the transforming power of His love on display for all to see.

Jesus embodied the heart behind this call to action through the way He lived His life, and He challenged those who followed Him to live by it, as well. Right after He healed a man of leprosy, He told him to keep quiet about the miracle he had just received. He followed up His unconventional request with this explanation: “Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done” (Matthew 8:4).

Jesus saw and understood the distrusting disposition of many people’s hearts – especially those who were currently giving Him the side eye because He differed from the version of the Messiah they assumed would come to their rescue. He knew they needed so much more than mere words; they needed hard evidence. So, He encouraged this man to let the fruit of his new, healed life speak volumes louder than his words, alone, ever could.

And that’s what people still need, today. They need to see proof of our fruit. They need to see a way of life that matches what we say. A life that overflows with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A life that mimics the way of Jesus and prioritizes grace and mercy instead of condemnation. A life that bears witness to all He has done, in us.

He said they will know us by our fruit. So, let the way you live – the way you love – be the thing that speaks loudest.