When we hear the word testimony, we often think about someone standing in church and telling what the Lord has done for them. That certainly is part of our testimony, but our testimony is much more than what we say in church. Our testimony is what our life says about Christ everywhere else.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, “...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Paul did not merely tell Timothy to tell others what a Christian ought to be. He told him to show them.
Our testimony is the visible evidence of the invisible work God has done in our hearts.
First, our testimony has value. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” A good testimony cannot be purchased. It is built over time through faithfulness, honesty, kindness, consistency, and godly decisions.
Daniel had that kind of testimony. His enemies searched for something they could use against him, but Daniel 6:4 says, “...they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful.”
What a tremendous thing when even those who may not agree with us can still say, “I know that person lives what he believes.”
Unfortunately, a testimony that takes years to build can be damaged in moments. One careless decision, angry outburst, dishonest action or sinful choice can hurt our influence. God forgives sin, but forgiveness does not always remove every consequence. That is why we should value and guard our testimony.
Second, our testimony has a voice. Second Corinthians 3:2 says, “Ye are our epistle... known and read of all men.” People are reading our lives every day.
They listen to our words. They watch our actions. They observe how we react when things go wrong.
There should not be one version of us at church and another version everywhere else. Our Christianity should follow us home, to work, into the store, onto social media, and everywhere we go.
Sometimes our testimony speaks the loudest when life is hardest. Anybody can praise God when everything is going well, but people notice when a Christian continues trusting God through disappointment, sorrow or difficulty. A light is most noticeable in the darkness.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Finally, our testimony requires vigilance. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
We must guard our hearts, control our reactions, and remain faithful.
Not every insult deserves a response. Not every disagreement needs an argument. Sometimes protecting our testimony means walking away, remaining quiet, or giving ourselves time to pray before responding.
And if we have failed, failure does not have to be the final chapter. Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” We can confess our sin, make things right where possible, and begin walking faithfully again.
The question for each of us is simple: If someone watched our life for a week without ever hearing us say we were Christians, would they eventually know?
Our testimony has value. Our testimony has a voice. Our testimony requires vigilance.
May we live in such a way that when others look at our lives, they see evidence that Jesus Christ truly makes a difference.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
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