Practice what you preach Many of us live by the adage, Dont do as I do, do as I say meaning dont imitate my behavior but obey my instructions. Many of us preach Gods word without first practicing it in our own lives. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10) Little is said about Ezra, but he is known for his skilled knowledge of the law. He meditated on Gods word night and day, and he sought to do all that was written in the law. (Joshua 1:8) Ezra not only studied the law, but he applied Gods word to himself before preaching it to others. Ezra was a priest who depended on God. He set aside days for fasting and prayer. He knew and lived by the Old Testament law, but he used it as a path to an intimate relationship with God. When he studied the scriptures, he applied Gods word to himself before teaching it to others. Ezra was so good at his task of teaching the law to others that most found favor with him. Not only did Ezra communicate Gods requirements to the captives in Jerusalem, but he also lived a lifestyle paralleled to his teachings. Ezra could point out shortcomings to people with a keen sense of divine guidance according to the good hand of His God upon him. (Ezra 7:9) People respected and followed the teachings of Ezra because Ezra practiced what he preached. Do people listen to you because like Ezra you practice what you preach?
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:58:24 +0000