Many called themselves “Christian” but their behaviour is contrary to their claim. The Roman Catholics believe that you can live a sinful life and can still go to heaven so long as you have the sacrament of extreme unction administered to you before you die. The Charismatics believe in the health-and-wealth gospel. They seek the world’s riches and live a life of carnality, thinking that they can go to heaven, when in reality they will end up in hell. And in our type of churches, we have sound doctrines preached. But what about our lives?

Ephesians 5:19-21 describes how true believers are to behave. First, our speech (v19). We are to speak to our brethren (“yourselves”) in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (v19a), referring to words that build up (edify) and are God-honouring. The focus is on Christ based on the Holy Scriptures. We are not to tear each other down with destructive words, eg: gossips, slander, which can have dire consequences, especially if the gossip is about church leaders. Do not be critical. And we are to sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord (v19b), i.e. words that only God hears. When we sing in our heart to the Lord, we will not gossip or murmur and complain. Singing in our heart protects us from sinning.

We are also to be thankful (v20). A thankful heart will help us to watch our speech and let it be seasoned with salt (Col 4:6). In the heat of strife, we will not be thankful nor sing to the Lord. We only want to hit out at others. Thus, we must make the effort to sing to the Lord and be thankful, even in times of sickness and pain. Then, our words will be a blessing. We can be thankful because we have not received what we deserve. Instead of being condemned, we are now servants of God. Whatever He has ordained for us to go through in life and be a witness for Him is our privilege. We must see His hand in everything – good and bad. We must count it all joy to be worthy to suffer for Him. Surrender all to Him, and allow Him to lead our life. Under all circumstances God will never hurt our witness. He wants to build us up. Will we trust Him (cf Matt 8:23-27) and give thanks (1 Thess 5:18)? We are saved. Let us prove it by our Christian behaviour.

Lastly, we are to submit one to another. But pride always gets in the way. Remind ourselves that we do not need to have the last word. Many things cannot be clarified. When it is not about doctrinal issues, we do not have to insist that we are right. We can just let it go. See that what truly matters is the eternal, not the earthly. When others point out our weakness, let us be humble to receive the feedback that will help us improve, rather than take it as a personal attack. Truly, in our speech and behaviour, may others see Christ in us.