Beliefs and Actions...

I've often said that you can tell what people really believe by reviewing their actions rather than their words. For example, when teaching Sunday School classes I use the example:

"If I told you that I believed that a meteor was about to land on this building how would you assess the credibility of the threat? Before looking at my background in meteor-science, the first thing you want to look at is how I act.”

“If I claim a meteor is about to hit the building, but I'm also laughing and joking and taking my time and not really doing anything about it, you would be rational to question my sincerity. However, if I am panicky, distraught and pleading with you to leave the building as I'm obviously fighting the urge to flee the building myself, it might be rational to step out of the building as you made further assessment of the potential threat."

Actions vs. Beliefs: It is a problem that pops up in many areas. We are often guilty of dismissing that fact. For example, cult members can often be seen to display a higher agreement between their actions and beliefs than many others who are dialed-in to the Truth of Jesus. "Conviction of error" and “deception in good faith” are issues that had already emerged in the second century and were addressed by St. Irenaeus in Against Heresies. These issues are still around today.

A person’s actions cannot be used to gauge the Truth of their beliefs. Actions can only argue toward or against sincerity. It is normal to find cult members rigorously applying their cult’s teachings in their lives. This commonly leads to the fallacy we hear so often that “Group X must be following the Truth because look at what good/sincere/happy people they are!”

You can gain invaluable insights into what a person truly believes by observing their actions, but it has no bearing on the accuracy or foundation of the beliefs they are following. To discern Truth requires God's Word and God's guidance.

Our heart’s first excuse regarding this topic will always be to consider the most hypocritical person we know. (Unfortunately, in our minds, that will rarely be ourselves.) To thoroughly consider this topic we should apply the test of analyzing our own actions before looking at others...

These points remain:

Faith Without Works is Dead.

- James 2:26

Faith without Truth is Error. How God deals with that issue is an issue that probably touches upon each and every one of us. All scripture indicates that God's nature will resolve these issues with Truth, Grace, and Love. Praise God that Jesus never said, "Have ye therefore perfect doctrine!".

Shouldn't we, therefore, live a walk of Grace and Truth?